Genetic basis of morphological diversity and parallel evolution in ninespine sticklebacks

Michael D. Shapiro IOS-0744974九棘鱼形态多样性和平行进化的遗传基础本项目的主要目标是确定九棘鱼（Pungitius pungitius）自然种群骨骼变化的遗传因素。在整个北方半球的范围内，这些鱼的几个特殊种群未能发育出腹鳍及其支撑骨骼，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成果是确定骨盆损失的遗传基础九棘鱼。初步的遗传研究表明，一个单一的染色体区域有一个重大的影响，骨盆损失在阿拉斯加人口的这些鱼，这种方法将被扩展到确定基因（S）参与。该项目的另一个主要目的是检查是否相同或不同的基因控制骨盆缩小在另一个，地理上遥远的九棘鱼种群。这一目标将表明是否相同或不同的机制控制类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，可以检验不同生物群体中控制形态的遗传变化类型是否存在一般规律，这项工作将通过开发可供其他研究人员使用的新的分子遗传学工具和试剂，对科学界产生更广泛的影响。此外，该研究员在促进妇女参与本科生、研究生和博士后科学研究方面成绩斐然。该项目将促进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.