DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Genus Psilorhynchus (Ostariophysi: Cypriniformes)

生活在相似环境中的不相关的生物体往往表现出惊人的相似形态。 许多鲤形目（类鲤）的成员表现出类似的形态适应底栖生活在快速流动的河流（流）。由于其高度修改的形态，一些底栖嗜流动物的进化关系，特别是印度缅甸属Psilorhynchus的成员，是未知的。本研究将基于形态学和分子生物学数据对鲤形目鱼类进行系统发育分析，以揭示裸吻鱼的进化关系。由此产生的假设将被用来调查一个底栖rheophilic生活方式的Cypriniformes和Psilorhynchus的起源的背景下，在Indoburmese regional.This project的地理历史的背景下，将提供研究生培训的合作PI康威分子系统发育技术和暴露本科生的形态学技术和系统发育的方法。该项目将促进对与快速流动水中的生命相关的形态适应的更大的欣赏和理解。本研究产生的数据将存入在线数据库，供公众查阅。

Unrelated organisms inhabiting similar environments often exhibit strikingly similar morphologies. Many members of the Order Cypriniformes (carp-like fishes) exhibit similar morphological adaptations for benthic life in fast flowing rivers (rheophilic). Due to their highly modified morphologies, evolutionary relationships of some benthic rheophiles, and members of the Indoburmese genus Psilorhynchus in particular, are unknown. This study will complete a phylogenetic analysis for Cypriniformes based on morphological and molecular data to discover evolutionary relationship of the enigmatic Psilorhynchus. The resulting hypothesis will be used to investigate evolutionary origins of a benthic rheophilic lifestyle within Cypriniformes and the origin of Psilorhynchus in the context of the biogeographic history of the Indoburmese region.This project will provide graduate training for co-PI Conway in molecular phylogenetic techniques and expose undergraduate students to morphological techniques and phylogenetic methodology. This project will foster a greater appreciation and understanding of morphological adaptations associated with life in fast flowing water. Data generated in this study will be deposited in online databases for public access.