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，在整个动物界都是必不可少的，而且无处不在。虽然众所周知，这种行为是由被称为中央模式生成器的神经元网络控制的，但人们对节奏行为自然变异的遗传基础知之甚少。这项研究将检验夏威夷蟋蟀Laupala cerasina和Laupala eukolea的种群和物种之间的鸣叫率的差异。鸣叫是雄性蟋蟀在求偶或攻击时用翅膀产生歌声的一种有节奏的运动。这些物种在鸣叫频率上的高度差异使这一系统成为理解节律行为变化的理想系统。研究人员将采用一种比较的方法来识别与调节颤音有关的基因，并揭示这些基因影响颤动率变化的机制。通过这项工作，作者将开发模型节律行为系统的遗传资源，该系统已从神经生物学角度进行了广泛研究。这项工作的结果将提供对节律运动模式和中央模式生成器的调节，以及重要进化模型系统中变异的分子基础。此外，调查人员将聘请本科生助理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.