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

生活在相似环境中的不相关生物常常表现出惊人的相似形态。鲤形目（鲤状鱼类）的许多成员在快速流动的河流中表现出类似的底栖生活形态适应（嗜流）。由于它们的形态高度变异，一些底栖嗜流动物的进化关系，特别是印多缅属Psilorhynchus的成员，是未知的。本研究将基于形态学和分子数据完成鲤形目的系统发育分析，以发现谜一般的裸喙龙的进化关系。由此产生的假设将用于在印缅地区的生物地理历史背景下研究鲤形目中底栖嗜流生活方式的进化起源和Psilorhynchus的起源。该项目将为康威副主任提供分子系统发育技术方面的研究生培训，并让本科生接触形态学技术和系统发育方法论。该项目将促进对与快速流动的水中生命相关的形态适应的更好的欣赏和理解。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.