DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Molecular Investigations of Natural Variation in Calling Song, a Rhythmic Motor Pattern, in the Hawaiian Cricket Laupala

有节奏的行为，如行走、咀嚼和呼吸，在动物王国中是必不可少的，也是普遍存在的。虽然我们知道这些行为是由称为中枢模式发生器的神经元网络控制的，但我们对节律性行为的自然变异的遗传基础知之甚少。本研究将研究夏威夷蟋蟀Laupala cerasina和Laupala eukolea的种群和物种之间的鸣叫率的变化。鸣声是雄性蟋蟀在求偶或攻击时翅膀的一种有节奏的运动，用来发出歌声。在这些物种之间的发声率的高度分歧，使这成为一个理想的系统，了解有节奏的行为变化。研究人员将采用比较的方法来确定参与调节鸣叫的基因，并揭示这些基因影响鸣叫率变化的机制。通过这项工作，作者将开发一个模型节律行为系统的遗传资源，该系统已从神经生物学的角度进行了广泛的研究。这项工作的结果将提供深入了解的节奏运动模式和中央模式发电机的调节，以及在一个重要的进化模型系统的变化的分子基础。此外，研究人员将聘请本科生助理来帮助这项工作的几个方面，为这些本科生提供获得宝贵知识和经验的机会。

Rhythmic behaviors, such as walking, chewing, and breathing, are essential and pervasive throughout the animal kingdom. While it is known that such behaviors are controlled by networks of neurons called central pattern generators, little is known about the genetic basis of natural variation in rhythmic behaviors. This study will examine variation in stridulation rate among populations and species of the Hawaiian crickets Laupala cerasina and Laupala eukolea. Stridulation is a rhythmic movement of the wings which male crickets use to produce songs during courtship or aggression. The high degree of divergence in stridulation rate among these species makes this an ideal system for understanding rhythmic behavioral variation. The investigators will employ a comparative approach to identify genes involved in regulating stridulation, and to uncover mechanisms by which these genes affect stridulation rate variation. Through this work the authors will develop genetic resources in a model rhythmic behavior system that has been studied extensively from a neurobiological perspective. The results of this work will provide insight into the regulation of rhythmic movement patterns and central pattern generators, as well as the molecular basis of variation in an important evolutionary model system. Additionally, the investigators will employ undergraduate assistants to help with several aspects of this work providing an opportunity for those undergraduates to gain valuable knowledge and experience.