DISSERTATION RESEARCH - An Integrative Study of the Evolution of Complex Sexual Singals

复杂的性信号进化的综合研究Alexis S.Chaine目前进化生物学研究的中心目标是了解动物信号的进化和功能。事实上，生物学家长期以来一直将注意力转向了解极乐鸟的鲜艳色彩或鸣禽的悦耳叫声。与产生这些信号相关的成本和向目标接收者传输信息的效率应该会使信号变得简单；因此，令人惊讶的是，许多物种拥有多个或复杂的信号。多个信号的演化仍然没有被完全理解，因为大多数以前关于这个主题的研究只集中在它们的演化的一个子集的假设上。使用基于观察和实验数据的特定统计框架(路径分析模型)，该项目将区分自由活动的百灵鸟(Calamospiza Blackocorys)中多种性信号进化的所有替代假说。百灵鸟特别适合于这个问题，因为它们有复杂的社会行为，许多不同的视觉信号，并且很容易被观察到，所有这些都是成功研究多个信号的关键。此外，雄性通过重新排列羽毛来改变信号的行为，以实现变色龙般的颜色变化，这表明了一种有趣的可能性，即雄性可能灵活而瞬时地解开原本联系在一起的性信号。拟议的研究还包括让本科生研究助理有机会参与该项目的所有方面，从实验设计和数据收集到数据分析。过去的助教大多来自代表性较低的群体(女性，文化多样性)，由于直接指导，许多人现在正在攻读更高的学位。

An Integrative Study of the Evolution of Complex Sexual SignalsAlexis S. ChaineA central goal in current studies of evolutionary biology is to understand the evolution and function of animal signals. Indeed, biologists have for a long time turned their attention to understanding the bright coloration of birds of paradise or the melodious calls of songbirds. Costs associated with the production of these signals and the efficiency of information transfer to an intended receiver should cause signals to be simple; therefore, it is surprising that many species have multiple, or complex, signals. The evolution of multiple signals is still not fully understood because most previous studies on this topic have focused on only a subset of hypotheses for their evolution. Using a specific statistical framework (path analytic model) based on both observational and experimental data, this project will distinguish between all the alternative hypotheses for the evolution of multiple sexual signals in free ranging lark buntings, Calamospiza melanocorys. Lark buntings are especially suited for this question because they have complex social behaviors, a number of distinct visual signals, and are easily observed, all of which are key to a successful study of multiple signals. Furthermore, males behaviorally modify signals by rearranging their feathers to achieve chameleon-like color change, which suggests the intriguing possibility that males might flexibly and instantaneously uncouple otherwise linked sexual signals. The proposed research also includes opportunities for undergraduate research assistants to participate in all aspects of the project from experimental design and data collection through data analysis. Past assistants have mostly been from underrepresented groups (female, culturally diverse) and, as a result of direct mentoring, many are now pursuing higher degrees.