Sexual dimorphism in the dioecious grass Distichlis spicata: testing hypotheses for the evolution of intraspecific niche divergence

雌雄异株草 Distichlis spicata 的性别二态性：检验种内生态位分歧进化的假设

• 批准号: 0743461
• 负责人: Sarah Eppley
• 金额: $ 26.18万
• 依托单位: Portland State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-03-01 至 2013-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0743461&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Sexual; dimorphism; dioecious; grass; Distichlis

PROJECT ABSTRACTSpatial separation of males and females should be a significant disadvantage in organisms that are not mobile. However, spatial separation is common in plants with separate sexes. This project will integrate field, greenhouse, and molecular approaches to rigorously test hypotheses for mechanisms causing spatial separation of the sexes in the wetland grass Distichlis spicata (saltgrass). The study takes advantage of novel molecular techniques to identify saltgrass seedlings as male or female, then follows the fates of both genders in an integrated set of experiments that will evaluate the mechanisms and consequences of competition for limited resources by males and females of the same species in a variety of habitats. Additionally, the experiments will test whether the soil biota plays a significant role in the different plant-soil associations of males and females. The proposed research will have significant impacts on wetland conservation, resource management, and student training. Sea levels are projected to rise for the foreseeable future. Understanding how male and female plants of saltgrass compete will allow researchers to anticipate the effects of rising sea levels on this important salt marsh species. The proposed research also has applied value, because saltgrass and related species are used in agronomy and environmental restoration. The project will also provide support for two graduate and 12 undergraduate students. Undergraduates will be recruited through outreach to local community colleges to increase recruitment of underrepresented groups via targeted internships.

项目摘要：在不能移动的生物体中，雄性和雌性的空间分离是一个显著的缺点。 然而，空间分离在具有不同性别的植物中是常见的。 该项目将整合领域，温室，和分子的方法，严格测试的机制，造成空间分离的性别在湿地草Distichlis spicata（盐草）的假设。 该研究利用新的分子技术来识别盐草幼苗的雄性或雌性，然后在一组综合实验中跟踪两性的命运，这些实验将评估同一物种的雄性和雌性在各种栖息地中争夺有限资源的机制和后果。此外，实验将测试土壤生物群是否在雄性和雌性的不同植物-土壤协会中发挥重要作用。这项研究将对湿地保护、资源管理和学生培训产生重大影响。 在可预见的未来，海平面预计将上升。 了解盐草的雄性和雌性植物如何竞争将使研究人员能够预测海平面上升对这种重要的盐沼物种的影响。 这项研究也具有应用价值，因为盐草及其相关物种在农学和环境修复中有重要用途。 该项目还将为两名研究生和12名本科生提供支持。 将通过与当地社区学院的外联活动征聘本科生，以通过有针对性的实习增加对代表性不足群体的征聘。