DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Behavioral and Ecological Factors Mediating the Co-occurrence of two Gambusia Species

题目：论文研究：行为和生态因素介导两种冈比亚鱼的共存栖息地的不断变化使以前地理上分离的物种进入二次接触。两个亲缘关系密切的物种在接触时避免杂交的机制引起了极大的兴趣。杂交回避可以由生态和/或行为的差异驱动。这是第一个试图考虑这两种机制在模型鱼系统杂交避免中的相对作用的研究。为了确定两种鱼类是如何避免完全遗传渗入的，本研究将使用标准分子技术测量野生和半自然种群实验中的杂交程度。分子数据将根据本项目的其他实验室和实地研究进行检查。预计生态学和行为学在维持这两个物种的独特身份方面都起着重要作用。该项目将通过将行为和生态学与整体杂交动力学联系起来，拓宽当前分子研究的范围。更广泛的影响：本研究将为新墨西哥大学代表性不足的本科生提供研究经验。这项研究将促进与州和联邦机构以及大学研究人员的合作。由于其中一种研究物种是联邦濒危物种，因此有机会参与由这些州和联邦机构组织的公共教育论坛，向公众介绍新墨西哥州本地野生动物的状况和管理

PI Kodrick BrownDDIG Proposal number 0808508Title: DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Behavioral and ecological factors mediating the co-occurrence of two Gambusia fish speciesIncreasing habitat alteration has put previously geographically separated species into secondary contact. The mechanisms by which two closely-related species avoid hybridization when they come into contact are of great interest. Hybridization avoidance can be driven by differences in ecology and/or behavior. This is the first study that attempts to consider the relative roles of both mechanisms in hybridization avoidance in a model fish system. To determine how two species of fishes are avoiding complete genetic introgression, this study will measure the degree of hybridization in the wild and in a semi-natural population experiment using standard molecular techniques. The molecular data will be examined in light of other laboratory and field studies for this project. It is expected that both ecology and behavior play an important role in the maintenance of the two species' unique identities. This project will broaden the scope of current molecular investigations by linking both behavior and ecology to overall hybridization dynamics. Broader impacts: This study will provide research experience for underrepresented undergraduates at the University of New Mexico. This research will facilitate collaboration with state and federal agencies and university researchers. Because one of the study species is federally endangered, opportunities exist for participation in public education forums, organized by these state and federal agencies, to inform the public about status and management of native wildlife within the State of New Mexico