Hybridization and Evolution in Slender Salamanders (Plethodontidae: Batrachoseps)

本研究探讨了杂交在无肺蝾螈科（Plethodontidae）的一个成员--细蝾螈属（Batrachoseps）的进化中所起的作用。 初步数据表明，深分化谱系之间的杂交反复发生在Batrachoseps，它影响形态变异。 杂交的机会在细长的蝾螈中很常见，因为独立谱系之间有许多地理接触的例子。 这项研究将利用DNA序列数据进一步调查细长蝾螈的进化历史，并确定杂交的实例。 它将使用形态测量数据来表征形态变异，并量化杂交对这种变异的影响。 这里提出的工作将对保护和未来科学家的培训以及进化生物学产生更广泛的影响。 近一半的Batrachoseps物种被认为是特别关注，受威胁或濒危，这项工作通过确定物种边界和分布直接解决了当前的保护问题。 该补助金还提供了一个研究生（谁将接受培训做形态学工作）和博士后研究员（谁将做大部分的分子工作）的培训机会，并包括一系列为本科生参与设计的独立项目。

This research examines the role of hybridization in the evolution of slender salamanders of the genus Batrachoseps, a member of the lungless salamander family (Plethodontidae). Preliminary data suggest that hybridization between deeply differentiated lineages has occurred repeatedly in Batrachoseps and that it affects morphological variation. Opportunities for hybridization are common in slender salamanders because of the numerous instances of geographic contact between independent lineages. This research will use DNA sequence data to further investigate the evolutionary history of slender salamanders and identify instances of hybridization. It will use morphometric data to characterize morphological variation, and to quantify the impact of hybridization on this variation. The work proposed here will have broader impacts for conservation and the training of future scientists, as well as for evolutionary biology. Almost half of all Batrachoseps species are considered of special concern, threatened, or endangered, and this work directly addresses current conservation issues by determining species boundaries and distributions. The grant also offers the opportunity for training of a graduate student (who will be trained to do the morphological work) and a postdoctoral researcher (who will do the bulk of the molecular work), and includes a series of independent projects designed for undergraduate participation.