Genetic basis of morphological diversity and parallel evolution in ninespine sticklebacks

九刺棘鱼形态多样性的遗传基础与平行进化本项目的主要目标是确定九刺棘鱼（Pungitius Pungitius）自然种群骨骼变化的遗传因素。在它们整个北半球的活动范围内，有几个特殊的种群没有发育出骨盆鳍及其支撑骨，这是骨骼的一部分，相当于人类和其他陆地脊椎动物的后肢。这项工作的主要目的和预期结果是确定九棘棘鱼骨盆丧失的遗传基础。初步的遗传学研究表明，单个染色体区域对阿拉斯加这些鱼种群的盆腔损失有主要影响；这种方法将被扩展到识别相关基因。该项目的另一个主要目的是研究相同或不同的基因是否控制另一种地理上遥远的九棘棘鱼种群的骨盆缩小。这一目标将表明是否相同或不同的机制控制相似的骨骼变化在独立的人群。这种比较遗传学方法提供了一个独特的机会来测试是否存在控制不同生物群体形态的遗传变化类型的一般规则。通过开发新的分子遗传工具和试剂，这项工作将对科学界产生更广泛的影响，这些工具和试剂可以被其他研究人员使用。此外，该研究者在促进女性参与本科生、研究生和博士后水平的科学研究方面有着良好的记录。这个项目将促进一个传统上在科学研究中代表性不足的性别群体的智力和职业发展。

Michael D. Shapiro IOS-0744974 Genetic basis of morphological diversity and parallel evolution in ninespine sticklebacksA major goal of this project is to identify the genetic factors underlying skeletal changes in natural populations of ninespine stickleback fish (Pungitius pungitius). Throughout their Northern Hemisphere-wide range, several exceptional populations of these fish fail to develop the pelvic fin and its supporting bones, a part of the skeleton that is the developmental equivalent of the hindlimbs of humans and other land vertebrates. A principal aim and expected outcome of this work is to identify the genetic basis of pelvic loss in ninespine sticklebacks. Preliminary genetic studies suggest that a single chromosome region has a major influence on pelvic loss in an Alaskan population of these fish; this approach will be extended to identify the gene(s) involved. Another major aim of this project is to examine whether the same or different genes control pelvic reduction in another, geographically distant population of ninespine sticklebacks. This aim will show whether the same or different mechanisms control similar skeletal changes in independent populations. This comparative genetic approach provides a unique opportunity to test whether there are general rules for the types of genetic changes that govern morphology in different groups of organisms.This work will have a broader impact on the scientific community by developing new molecular genetic tools and reagents that can be used by other researchers. Furthermore, the investigator has a strong record of promoting the participation of women in scientific research at the undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral levels. This project will foster the intellectual and career development of a gender group that is traditionally underrepresented in scientific research.