The Evolution of Polyandry in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus Polyphemus

PI：H. Jane Brockmann方案编号：06411750标题：鲎（Limulus polyphemus）一妻多夫的进化 在生物学中，长期以来人们一直认为，雄性可以通过多个伴侣来提高繁殖成功率，而雌性则不能。 然而，许多物种的雌性交配繁殖。 存在许多解释，包括女性没有受益的可能性（一妻多夫制是男性竞争的结果）;或者，女性受益于男性提供的资源，或者通过改善配偶质量或更大的遗传相容性。 本研究评估这些假设在马蹄蟹，一个物种中，男性只提供父权。 马蹄蟹成对产卵，一些雌性吸引额外的卫星雄性，可能使许多卵受精。本研究测量了在野外和实验室中多次和单独交配的雌性的成功率。实验研究了多重亲子关系对雌性产卵成功，卵发育和幼虫存活率和活力的影响。作为一种古老而独立进化的节肢动物，马蹄蟹提供了一个独特的机会来扩展我们对生殖行为进化的理解。 这个项目有许多更广泛的影响。首先，对作为诱饵和用于生物医学工业的马蹄蟹的收获进行管理，因为马蹄蟹卵是水鸟的重要食物。 这项研究提供了用于管理这一有争议物种的关键数据。其次，马蹄蟹是一个成功的课程的中心，教初中和高中学生科学，管理和保护和PI和她的学生参与这一努力。 第三，本研究的结果被传播到一个公共网站和国际论坛的生物学和保护马蹄蟹。 最后，该项目为各级学生提供了许多机会，学习如何在野外和实验室环境中对迷人的海洋无脊椎动物的行为进行研究。

PI: H. Jane BrockmannProposal No.: 06411750Title: The Evolution of Polyandry in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus It is a long-held view in biology that males can enhance their reproductive success through multiple partners whereas females cannot. Yet, females of many species mate multiply. Many explanations exist including the possibility that females do not benefit (polyandry results from male competition); or, alternatively, that females benefit either from resources that males provide or through improved mate quality or greater genetic compatibility. This study evaluates these hypotheses in the horseshoe crab, a species in which males provide only paternity. Horseshoe crabs spawn in pairs with some females attracting additional satellite males that may fertilize many eggs. This study measures the success of multiply and singly mated females in both the field and laboratory. Experiments examine the effect of multiple paternity on female egg-laying success, egg development and larval survivorship and viability. As an ancient and independently evolved arthropod, horseshoe crabs offer a unique opportunity to extend our understanding of the evolution of reproductive behavior. This project has many broader impacts. First, the harvest of horseshoe crabs as bait and for use in the biomedical industry is managed because horseshoe crab eggs are an important food for shorebirds. This study provides crucial data that are being used in the management of this controversial species. Second, horseshoe crabs are at the center of a successful curriculum to teach middle and high school students about science, management and conservation and the PI and her students participate in this effort. Third, the results of this study are disseminated to a public web site and international forum on the biology and conservation of horseshoe crabs. Finally, the project provides many opportunities for students at all levels to learn how to conduct research in field and laboratory settings on the behavior of a fascinating marine invertebrate.