Evolutionary Ecology of a Cave Dwelling Poeciliid Fish: The Roles of Darkness and Toxic Sulfur.

极端的栖息地需要特殊的适应能力。大西洋茉莉（Poecilia mexicana）的种群已经独立地在塔巴斯科（墨西哥）的两个洞穴中定居，这些洞穴含有有毒的硫化氢和黑暗的环境。洞穴生物对黑暗环境的适应，如减少色素沉着和眼睛，是众所周知的。然而，动物是如何适应高浓度硫化氢的还不太清楚。这项研究旨在研究在洞穴中发现的黑暗，硫化氢水的极端栖息地以及在正常环境光照水平的无毒环境中发现的密切相关的molly种群的生活史进化。该研究考察了野外和普通花园实验中对环境条件的适应性反应，其中环境条件被操纵。通过采用功能方法来研究一系列密切相关的分类群在不同条件下的生活史特征响应，该研究可以为理解生物如何适应极端环境做出重要贡献，包括在富含硫化氢的水生环境中发现的相当新的条件。该项目将在墨西哥最贫穷的地区之一进行，将与几位国际同事合作进行，其中包括来自墨西哥小型大学Oxolatan跨文化大学的研究人员。Oxolatan校区主要为未被充分代表的原住民提供服务。该项目将为跨文化大学的当地学生提供实地研究培训，并为该校园的学生和教师提供访问俄克拉何马大学进行培训和文化交流的机会。此外，俄克拉何马大学的本科生和研究生将作为该项目的一部分接受培训，包括国际研究机会。通过公开演讲和海报宣传教育当地居民也将作为该项目的一部分。这项研究的结果将有助于保护Cueva del azuure作为全球独特的栖息地和当地Zoque部落的文化标志。

Extreme habitats require special adaptations. Populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) have independently colonized two caves in Tabasco (Mexico) that harbor toxic levels of hydrogen-sulfide and dark conditions. Adaptations to dark environments, such as reduced pigmentation and eyes, are well known among cave organisms. However, how animals adapt to high levels of hydrogen-sulfide are not well understood. This research is designed to study life history evolution among closely-related molly populations that are found in extreme habitats of dark, hydrogen-sulfide waters found in caves, as well as in non-toxic environments that experience normal ambient light levels. The research examines fitness responses to environmental conditions in the field and in common garden experiments where environmental conditions are manipulated. By taking a functional approach to examine response of life history traits among a suite of closely-related taxa under different conditions, the research can make important contributions to understanding how organisms adapt to extreme environments, including the rather novel conditions found in hydrogen-sulfide rich aquatic environments.The project, which takes place in one of the poorest areas of Mexico, will be conducted in collaboration with several international colleagues including researchers from a small, Mexican university, the Universidad Intercultural in Oxolatan. The Oxolatan campus primarily serves underrepresented indigenous people. This project will provide field research training to local students from the Universidad Intercultural and provide opportunities for students and faculty from that campus to visit the University of Oklahoma for training and cultural exchange. In addition, undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Oklahoma will receive training as part of this project, including international research opportunities. Outreach to educate the local population using public talks and posters will also occur as part of this project. Results from this research will help protect the Cueva del Azufre as a globally unique habitat and cultural icon for the local Zoque tribe.