Dissertation Research: Phenotypic Integration of Adaptive Traits in Junco Hyemalis

许多物种的雄性使用多种观赏性状和行为来竞争和吸引配偶。 如果这些相互作用决定交配成功，选择可能导致遗传整合的性特征和行为套件的进化，称为交配表型。 由于激素可以协调一系列性状的表达，它们可能在稳定这些交配表型方面发挥核心作用。 本研究探讨了一种常见的鸣禽，黑眼junco交配表型的进化。 将测量用于获得配偶的形态（大小和羽毛），性激素睾酮和睾酮介导的性行为之间的相关性。 当前选择在维持这些相关性中的作用将通过将性状组合与交配成功的遗传测量相关联来量化。 实验将检查睾酮是否通过对形态的直接发育作用来稳定交配表型。 这项研究应该导致更好地了解功能相关性状组的进化，并可能表明激素在维持整合中的重要作用。 所有工作将涉及本科生的广泛参与，无论是作为研究助理和合作者。 本科生将被鼓励开发自己的独立项目与这项工作。

Males of many species use multiple ornamental traits and behaviors to compete for and attract mates. If these interact to determine mating success, selection may lead to the evolution of genetically integrated suites of sexual traits and behaviors, known as mating phenotypes. Because hormones can coordinate the expression of suites of traits, they may play a central role in stabilizing these mating phenotypes. This study examines the evolution of the mating phenotype in a common songbird, the dark-eyed junco. Correlations will be measured between morphology used in acquiring mates (size and plumage), the sexual hormone testosterone, and the sexual behaviors mediated by testosterone. The role of current selection in maintaining these correlations will be quantified by associating trait combinations with genetic measurements of mating success. Experiments will examine whether testosterone acts to stabilize the mating phenotype by direct developmental effects on morphology. This research should lead to a greater understanding of the evolution of groups of functionally related traits and may suggest important roles for hormones in maintaining integration. All work will involve the extensive participation of undergraduates, both as research assistants and collaborators. Undergraduates will be encouraged to develop their own independent projects related to this work.