Dissertation Research: Ecological opportunity and the rate of evolution in neotropical Anolis lizards

为什么物种会不同？长期以来，科学家们一直假设，生态压力通过自然选择的作用驱使物种扮演不同的角色。这项研究旨在测试生态学在驱使一群蜥蜴采用惊人的生活方式和身体形态方面的作用。通过遗传学、统计学和实地技术的结合，研究人员将计算蜥蜴的进化速度，这些蜥蜴是在高水平和低水平的生态机会下进化的。如果具有更多生态机会的蜥蜴进化得更快，我们可以得出结论，生态条件调节多样化。Anolis蜥蜴是多样化进化的模型系统，但这项研究是第一次。研究人员将采用新的和更强大的统计技术来检测进化速度的差异。此外，这项研究的数据（代表350多个物种）将被放入公共存储库，以便其他人可以使用它们来进一步探索进化模式。阿诺利斯蜥蜴属已经在教科书和公共媒体上广泛宣传，以教育有关进化的知识，这项研究的发现将提高公众对进化概念的理解。此外，本科生将参与研究项目。

Why do species differ? Scientists have long hypothesized that ecological pressures drive species to play different roles through the action of natural selection. This study seeks to test the role of ecology in driving a group of lizards to adopt an astonishing array of lifestyles and body forms. With a combination of genetic, statistical, and field techniques, the investigators will calculate the rate of evolution in lizards that evolved with high versus low levels of ecological opportunity. If lizards with more ecological opportunity evolved faster, we may conclude that ecological conditions regulate diversification.Anolis lizards are a model system for the evolution of diversification, but this study is the first of its kind. The investigators will employ novel and more powerful statistical techniques to detect differences in the rate of evolution. Also, data from this study (representing over 350 species) will placed into public repositories so that others may use them to further explore evolutionary patterns. The lizard genus Anolis has been featured widely in textbooks and public media to educate about evolution, and the findings of this study will improve public understanding of evolutionary concepts. In addition, undergraduates will participate in the research project.