DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Augmentation of Data Toward a Resolved Phylogeny of Pterioidean Bivalves (Mollusca)

这项建议的主要目的如下：1)构建包括具有重要商业价值的珍珠牡蛎在内的双壳类翼目总科的系统发育；2)将系统发育与古生物学证据相结合，以检验该类群的起源和多样化模式的假说；3)提供有关形态趋势的性质和可能的原因，特别是双壳类韧带的进化和贝壳形状的适应性方面的信息；这项研究的学术价值及其对世界科学和社会的更广泛影响来自：1)有助于我们理解世界上双壳类软体动物的多样性；2)科学地灌输到双壳类动物形态进化的一般过程中；3)加强对不同生态环境中物种间关系的了解；4)直接应用于野生种群的保护和商业种群的管理；以及5)教育材料的传播。

The major objectives of this proposal are as follows: 1) construct a phylogeny of the bivalve superfamily Pterioidea including the commericially important pearl oysters; 2) the integration of the phylogeny with paleontological evidence to test hypotheses of origin and diversification patterns of the group; 3) to provide instight into the nature and possible causes of morphological trends, particularly evolution of the bivalve ligament and adaptive aspects of shell shape; and 4) to evalute the association of pterioideans with their coral sponge and mangrove substrata in an historical context.The intellectual merit of the proposed study and it broader impacts on science and society worldwide stem from: 1) contributions to our understanding of thw world's diversity of bivalve mollusks; 2) scientific instight into the genral processes of morphological evolution in the Bivalvia; 3) enhancing knowledge of interspecific relationships in different ecological settings; 4) direct application to conservation of wild populations and management of commercial stocks; and 5) dissemination of educational materials.