DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genome dynamics in parthenogenetic geckos of the Heteronotia binoei complex

几乎所有的动物都是有性繁殖的，但也有少数动物表现出无性繁殖，即雌性在没有雄性参与的情况下产生基因相同的女儿。这个项目调查了拜诺壁虎（Heteronotia binoei）这种无性行为的后果。通过测量这些无性壁虎的基因活性和定量突变，该项目将提供重要的数据，以解决进化生物学中一个长期存在的问题：性究竟为什么存在？这个项目将检验无性谱系在基因上比有性谱系退化的预期，并检验是否有机制可以帮助防止这种退化。目前正在采取一种综合的方法来解决这个问题，包括基因组分析、生理实验和生化分析。这个项目有助于一个综合的，国际（澳大利亚-美国）努力了解拜诺壁虎无性行为的起源和演变。该项目已经并将继续为两国有才华的本科生提供研究经验。其外延部分的目的是在小学，以及通过讲习班和与澳大利亚内陆电台经理的讨论，对一般公众进行生态学和进化方面的教育。

Nearly all animals reproduce sexually, but a handful exhibit asexual reproduction in which mothers produce genetically identical daughters without input from males. This project investigates the consequences of such asexuality in the Bynoe's gecko (Heteronotia binoei). By measuring the activity of genes and quantifying mutations in these asexual geckos, this project will provide important data that will address one of the longest-standing questions in evolutionary biology: why does sex exist at all? This project will examine the expectation that asexual lineages deteriorate genetically compared to their sexual relatives, and examine whether there are mechanisms that can help prevent this deterioration. An integrative approach to this question is being taken that includes genomic analyses, physiological experiments, and biochemical assays.This project contributes to an integrative, international (Australia-United States) endeavor to understand the origin and evolution of asexuality in the Bynoe's gecko. This project has provided and will continue to offer research experiences to talented undergraduate students in both countries. Its outreach component is designed to educate the general public in ecology and evolution in the primary schools, as well as via workshops and through discussions with station managers in the Australian outback.