DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Analysis of the Genetic Architecture of Hybrid Male Sterility in the Drosophila mojavensis Species Group

从一个祖先物种形成两个新物种所需的遗传变化的性质和数量是进化生物学中一个挥之不去的问题。不同物种的一个明显特征是它们不能形成可育的杂交种。已经发现了一对果蝇物种，它们之间仍然形成少量的可育杂种。利用这对种，D. mojavensis和D. arizonae，分子和经典遗传技术的组合可用于确定有多少遗传因子负责出现的不育性和这些因子的染色体定位。人为的变化正在以惊人的速度加剧物种的丧失。虽然我们对导致物种灭绝的因素有一定的了解，但我们对新物种如何形成的理解却非常缺乏。本研究将为新物种的起源提供重要的新信息。同时，也将进一步加深对昆虫雄性不育遗传学的认识。昆虫雄性不育技术是防治重要经济害虫的重要手段。

The nature and number of genetic changes required to form two new species from one ancestral one is a lingering problem in evolutionary biology. A defining feature separate species is their inability to form fertile hybrids. A pair of Drosophila species between which a low number of fertile hybrids still form, have been discovered. By using this pair of species, D. mojavensis and D. arizonae, a combination of molecular and classical genetic techniques can be used to determine how many genetic factors are responsible for the emerging sterility and the chromosomal locations of the factors. Anthropogenic change is fueling the loss of species at an alarming rate. While we have some understanding of the factors that cause loss of species, our understanding of how new species form is sorely lacking. The present study will provide important new information about the origin of new species. At the same time, it will advance our understanding of the genetics of sterility of male insects. Sterile male insect techniques are an important tool in the control of economically important insect pests.