DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Role of Interspecific Hybridization in Biological Invasions: An Experimental Study with Centaurea Maculosa and C. diffusa

物种间的杂交被认为能使物种迅速适应新环境。许多入侵生物是杂交生物，但杂交在入侵中的作用尚不清楚。这项研究将验证这样一种假设，即杂交增加了引进物种的成功率，使它们能够迅速适应新环境。该研究调查了具有经济破坏性的有毒杂草半人马草和白花半人马草及其杂交品种。利用分子和生态学方法，比较亲本物种和杂交种的表现，以评估杂交种是否能够入侵新的栖息地。此外，本研究将通过偏好和性能测试来评估杂种及其亲本物种对引入的专门生物防治剂的敏感性。这项研究对土地管理者有直接的影响。例如，如果发现杂交种具有更高的性能，则可以针对杂交种种群进行控制。此外，有关入侵和杂交的基本原理也可应用于其他系统。该基金资助一名女研究生的项目，她致力于成为对科学感兴趣的年轻女性的积极榜样，并致力于传播研究成果。

Hybridization between species has been hypothesized to lead to rapid adaptation to new environments. Many invasive organisms are hybrids, yet the role of hybridization in invasion is unclear. This research will test the hypothesis that hybridization increases the success of introduced species, allowing them to rapidly adapt to their new environment. The study examines the economically devastating noxious weeds Centaurea maculosa and C. diffusa and their hybrids. Using molecular and ecological approaches, the performance of the parental species and the hybrids will be compared to assess whether hybrids may be able to invade new habitats. Additionally, this research will evaluate the susceptibility of hybrids and their parent species to an introduced specialist biological control agent through preference and performance tests. This research has direct implications for land managers. For example, if hybrids are found to have higher performance, then hybrid populations can be targeted for control. In addition, the basic principles regarding invasion and hybridization can be applied to other systems. This grant funds the project of a female graduate student who is dedicated to being a positive role model to young women interested in science and is committed to disseminating the findings of the research.