RUI - Phylogeny, Biogeography and Evolutionary Biology of the Geckos of the World (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkota)

壁虎是夜行蜥蜴的主要类群，是世界上许多生态系统的重要组成部分。它们是一个古老的（1.8亿年）和多样的（108属1100种）群体，如果知道它们之间的相互关系，可以作为理解广泛的进化、生态、生理和行为问题的重要模型。在这项研究中，分子（DNA序列）和形态学（如骨骼解剖）数据将用于重建所有现存属和选定化石壁虎之间的关系。由此产生的信息将用于评估地球历史如何影响壁虎的多样化，并重建导致该群体内部高度专业化的粘附攀登机制发展的进化事件。本课题将广泛适用于生态学、生物地理学、形态学等学科的研究。它还将促进本科大学与主要研究机构之间的互动，为学生提供生物多样性和实地研究方面的培训机会。实地工作和与20多个国家的研究人员的合作也将加强国际研究联系。由此产生的数据将通过一系列网络数据库以及传统出版物提供。所产生的信息将以书籍和专题讨论会的形式向更广泛的受众展示，并通过博物馆和网络的教育项目向公众展示。

Geckos are the dominant group of nocturnal lizards and are important components of many ecosystems worldwide. They are an old (180 million years) and diverse (1100 species in 108 genera) group and could serve as important models for understanding a broad range of evolutionary, ecological, physiological and behavioral questions if their interrelationships were known. In this study both molecular (DNA sequences) and morphological (e.g., skeletal anatomy) data, will be used to reconstruct relationships among all living genera and selected fossil geckos. The resulting information will be used to evaluate how earth history has influenced the diversification of geckos and to reconstruct the evolutionary events leading to the development of a highly specialized adhesive climbing mechanism within the group. This project will be widely applicable for studies of ecology, biogeography, morphology and other disciplines. It will also promote interactions between an undergraduate university and major research institutions to provide opportunities for student training in biodiversity and field research. Field work and collaborations with researchers in more than 20 countries will also strengthen international research ties. The resulting data will be made available through a series of web-based databases as well as traditional publications. The information generated will be presented to a wider audience in book form and at symposia and to the general public through educational programs both in museums and on the web.