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

论文研究：夏威夷板球劳帕拉叫声（一种节奏运动模式）自然变异的分子研究

• 批准号: 0709993
• 负责人: Kerry Shaw
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: Cornell University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-08-01 至 2009-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0709993&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Molecular; Investigations; Natural

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.

有节奏的行为，如走路、咀嚼和呼吸，在动物王国中是必不可少的，而且无处不在。虽然已知这些行为是由称为中枢模式生成器的神经元网络控制的，但对节律行为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）和夏威夷蟋蟀（Laupala eukolea）种群和物种之间鸣叫率的差异。鸣叫是雄性蟋蟀在求偶或攻击时用翅膀发出的一种有节奏的运动。这些物种在鸣叫率上的高度差异使其成为理解节律性行为变化的理想系统。研究人员将采用比较的方法来识别参与调节鸣声的基因，并揭示这些基因影响鸣声速率变化的机制。通过这项工作，作者将开发遗传资源的模式节律行为系统，已从神经生物学的角度广泛研究。这项工作的结果将为节律运动模式和中心模式发生器的调节提供见解，以及重要进化模型系统中变异的分子基础。此外，调查人员将雇用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。