The Evolution of Polyandry in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus Polyphemus

PI: h·简·布罗克曼。[06411750]标题：马蹄蟹的一妻多夫制的进化生物学上长期以来的观点是，雄性可以通过多个伴侣来提高它们的繁殖成功率，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（多夫制是男性竞争的结果）；或者，雌性从雄性提供的资源中获益，或者通过改善配偶质量或更好的遗传兼容性获益。这项研究在马蹄蟹中评估了这些假设，马蹄蟹是一种雄性只提供父权的物种。马蹄蟹成对产卵，一些雌性会吸引更多的卫星雄性，这可能会使许多卵受精。本研究在野外和实验室测量了繁殖和单交配雌性的成功。实验研究了多重父权对雌性产卵成功、卵发育和幼虫存活和生存能力的影响。作为一种古老的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，由于马蹄蟹卵是滨鸟的重要食物，因此对作为诱饵和用于生物医学工业的马蹄蟹的收获进行了管理。这项研究为管理这一有争议的物种提供了重要的数据。其次，马蹄蟹是一个成功的课程的中心，该课程向初高中学生传授科学、管理和保护知识，PI和她的学生参与了这项工作。第三，研究结果会在一个有关马蹄蟹生物学及保育的公共网站及国际论坛上公布。最后，该项目为各个层次的学生提供了许多机会，让他们学习如何在野外和实验室环境下对一种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.