Color, Sex and Speciation of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes

东非湖泊中慈鲷的广泛辐射是研究促进物种形成的生态和遗传因素的理想系统。该项目将研究新的性染色体的进化，结合相关的颜色多态性，在马拉维湖鲷的物种形成中是否重要。分子标记将用于在高度多态的米triaclima属中对控制性别决定和颜色多态性的基因进行遗传定位。系统发育分析将确定最近进化的颜色模式是否与新的性染色体的进化有关。这些数据将提供关键的经验数据，以评估性别比例的遗传冲突是否对这些鱼类的壮观辐射重要，并延伸到许多其他动物物种的进化。该项目还将以明确的研究项目形式为本科生提供暑期实习和毕业论文的培训机会。该研究项目的高度跨学科性质将为研究生和博士后研究提供肥沃的训练场地。研究结果将通过一个现有的网站传达给慈鱼养殖者和一般公众。

The extensive radiations of cichlid fishes in the lakes of East Africa are an ideal system for studying the ecological and genetic factors that promote speciation. This project will examine whether the evolution of new sex chromosomes, in combination with linked color polymorphisms, has been important in the speciation of Lake Malawi cichlids. Molecular markers will be used to genetically map the genes controlling sex determination and color polymorphisms in the highly polymorphic genus Metriaclima. Phylogenetic analysis will determine whether recently evolved color patterns are linked to the evolution of new sex chromosomes. These data will provide key empirical data to evaluate whether genetic conflict over sex ratio is important to the spectacular radiation of these fishes, and by extension to the evolution of many other animal species. The project will also provide training opportunities for undergraduates in the form of well-defined research projects for summer internships and senior theses. The highly interdisciplinary nature of the research program will provide a fertile training ground for graduate and postdoctoral research. The results of the research will be communicated to cichlid aquarists and the general public through an existing www site.