Investigating the Seciation Continuum: Ecology, Reinforcement, and the Evolution of Reproductive Isolation in Timema Stick Insects

物种形成是两个种群失去杂交和交换遗传物质的能力的扩展过程。一开始，种群间基因交换的限制很小；最后，它完成了。在此过程中，遗传限制的程度，即生殖隔离，随着时间的推移而增加。该项目使用了一组草食性竹节虫的成对种群和物种，它们在隔离历史和基因流动机会方面各不相同。通过对数十个种群/物种对的生殖隔离进行评估，研究物种形成的两个主要原因，即与寄主植物利用相关的生态分化或地理分离，本研究将以前所未有的细节研究物种形成过程。物种形成是产生生物多样性的基本进化过程。鉴于公众对生物多样性保护的意识和兴趣日益增强，了解物种形成应该受到公众和学术界的关注。这项研究的结果将提供对生殖隔离低的条件的见解，这种情况可以通过杂交和先前不同种群的遗传融合来促进生物多样性的丧失。此外，本项目将通过参与本研究培养两名研究生和多名本科生进行科学研究。最后，与教育学教授的合作将提供关于学生如何学习（或不学习）进化概念的理解，这是当代社会的一个重要问题。

Speciation is an extended process in which two populations lose the capacity to interbreed and exchange genetic material. At the beginning, restrictions on genetic exchange between the populations is minimal; at the end it is complete. Along the way, the degree of genetic restriction, i.e. reproductive isolation, increases over time. This project uses pairs of populations and species of a group of herbivorous stick insects that vary in their history of isolation and opportunity for gene flow. By evaluating reproductive isolation among dozens of these population/species pairs with respect to two major causes of speciation, either ecological divergence associated with host plant use or geographic separation, this study will investigate the speciation process in unprecedented detail.Speciation is the fundamental evolutionary process that generates biodiversity. Given increased public awareness of, and interest in, biodiversity conservation, understanding speciation should be of public, as well as academic, concern. Findings from this study will provide insights into the conditions under which reproductive isolation is low, a situation that can promote the loss of biodiversity through interbreeding and genetic fusion of previously distinct populations. Additionally, this project will train two graduate students and multiple undergraduates in the conduct of science through participation in this research. Finally, collaboration with a professor of education will provide understanding about how students do (and do not) learn evolutionary concepts, an important issue in contemporary society.