Dissertation Research: Linking Broad-Scale Genetic Variation and Local Selection on Sexual Signals: Loss of Calling in a Parasitized Population of Field Crickets

论文研究：将大规模遗传变异与性信号的局部选择联系起来：田间蟋蟀寄生种群中的叫声丧失

• 批准号: 0607127
• 负责人: Marlene Zuk
• 金额: $ 1.17万
• 依托单位: University of California-Riverside
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-05-01 至 2008-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0607127&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Linking; Broad; Scale

This research will examine how signals used to attract mates are affected by, gradual genetic changes as a species colonizes new areas, and are punctuated by more drastic changes due to selection in new environments, using a field cricket as a model organism. The cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, is found in Australia and on many Pacific islands and was introduced to Hawaii where it encounters a deadly enemy, a parasitic fly. The fly is attracted to the mating signal (song) male crickets produce by rubbing their wings together. Recently, a striking change was noted in Hawaii. In one Hawaiian population, but not others, 90% of males shifted from normal wing morphology to a non-functional, mutated wing in just tens of generations. These males are protected from the fly because they cannot produce song. This research will identify the importance of gradual genetic divergence associated with range expansion, island colonization and movement between islands for the distribution of genetic variation among populations. Variation in the key genetic sequences among 12 cricket populations with known variation in song and signaling behavior among the same populations will be examined with respect to implications for long-term genetic change. Islands are usually only colonized by a few animals at a time and this is thought to favor females that are less picky in mate choice, so these historical events are likely to affect mating preferences as well. Second, this research will determine what behavioral changes accompany the recent and rapid loss of the crickets sexual signal, song. This will be accomplished by staging mating encounters between mainland Australian and island populations of the cricket, including those in which the ability to call has been lost. Intellectual merit: This research links the influences of long-term, historical processes with short-term local selection on sexual signals. It will contribute to our understanding of the way parasites influence mating systems and will add to our understanding of the mode and tempo of signal evolution. Broader impacts: The loss of cricket song is a striking and easily understood example of everyday evolution that can be comprehended by students of all levels (grade school to undergraduate) and non-scientists as well. This example, because of its relative simplicity and recent time frame, will advance the publics understanding of evolutionary processes and be used as an educational tool. Additionally, this project will add to undergraduate scholarship at UCR. The PIs mentor undergraduate students and will continue to include them in the behavioral aspects of this project.

这项研究将研究用于吸引配偶的信号是如何受到影响的，随着物种殖民新的区域，逐渐发生遗传变化，并且由于在新环境中的选择而发生更剧烈的变化，使用田野蟋蟀作为模式生物。 这种蟋蟀，Teleogryllus oceanicus，在澳大利亚和许多太平洋岛屿上都有发现，并被引入夏威夷，在那里它遇到了一个致命的敌人，一种寄生蝇。 雄蟋蟀摩擦翅膀发出的交配信号（歌声）吸引了苍蝇。 最近，人们注意到夏威夷发生了惊人的变化。 在一个夏威夷种群中，90%的雄性在几十代内从正常的翅膀形态转变为无功能的突变翅膀。 这些雄性被保护免受苍蝇的伤害，因为它们不能唱歌。 这项研究将确定与分布范围扩大，岛屿殖民化和岛屿之间的运动的遗传变异种群之间的分布逐渐遗传分化的重要性。 12个蟋蟀种群中的关键基因序列的变化与已知的歌曲和信号传导行为的变化在相同的人口将检查长期的遗传变化的影响。 岛屿通常一次只被少数动物殖民，这被认为有利于在择偶方面不那么挑剔的雌性，因此这些历史事件也可能影响交配偏好。 其次，这项研究将确定什么行为变化伴随着最近和迅速失去蟋蟀的性信号，歌曲。 这将通过在澳大利亚大陆和岛屿蟋蟀种群之间进行交配来实现，包括那些失去呼叫能力的蟋蟀。 智力价值：这项研究将长期的历史过程与短期的地方选择对性信号的影响联系起来。 它将有助于我们理解寄生虫影响交配系统的方式，并将增加我们对信号进化模式和克里思的理解。 更广泛的影响：蟋蟀歌声的消失是日常进化的一个引人注目且易于理解的例子，可以被各级学生（小学到本科）和非科学家所理解。 这个例子，由于其相对简单和最近的时间框架，将促进公众对进化过程的理解，并被用作教育工具。 此外，该项目将增加UCR的本科奖学金。 PI指导本科生，并将继续将他们纳入本项目的行为方面。