Developmental Basis of Convergent Evolution of Drosophila Pigmentation Patterns

在不同的动物和植物物种中，相似的解剖结构和生理过程独立进化是很常见的。这种现象（被称为趋同进化）反映了这样一个事实：相似的生态压力造成了相似的功能要求；换句话说，每个任务调用一个特定的工具。目前尚不清楚的是，趋同进化的特征是否具有相同的遗传和分子基础。在不同的进化谱系中，不同的分子途径可能被共同选择，以产生表面上相似的结构和适应。这一假设将通过确定几种果蝇（果蝇）中负责颜色模式进化变化的基因来验证。之所以选择果蝇作为这项研究的模型，是因为在这种昆虫身上进行遗传和分子实验容易且成本低。如果发现不同的基因在不同的物种中产生相似的颜色图案，这将表明自然选择可以利用不同的变异来源来实现相同的功能结果。相反的发现将表明，自然选择的行为受到控制动物发育的遗传途径的固有结构的限制。鉴于了解人类病原体、农业害虫和其他影响人类社会和经济的生物物种的适应过程的重要性日益增加，解决进化中偶然性和必然性之间的相互作用将有助于生物和化学控制策略的发展。该项目的另一个目标是培养年轻的科学家，他们准备在全基因组范围内分析分子变异，并将其与解剖和生理特征以及环境因素联系起来。这种培训对于人类医学、农业、林业和生物技术的进一步发展至关重要。该项目将为学生提供一个获得第一手研究经验的机会，并通过对最新概念和技术的实际应用来补充理论教育，扩大他们的职业选择。

It is common for similar anatomical structures and physiological processes to evolve independently in different species of animals and plants. This phenomenon (known as convergent evolution) reflects the fact that similar ecological pressures impose similar functional requirements; in other words, each task calls for a specific tool. What is not clear is whether convergently evolved traits share the same genetic and molecular basis. It is possible that different molecular pathways can be co-opted in different evolutionary lineages to produce superficially similar structures and adaptations. This hypothesis will be tested by identifying the genes responsible for evolutionary changes in color patterns in several species of fruit flies (Drosophila). Drosophila has been chosen as a model for this research due to the ease and low cost of genetic and molecular experimentation in this insect. If different genes are found to produce similar color patterns in different species, it will indicate that natural selection can utilize different sources of variation to achieve the same functional outcome. An opposite finding will suggest that the action of natural selection is constrained by the inherent structure of genetic pathways that control animal development. Given the increasing importance of understanding adaptive processes in human pathogens, agricultural pests, and other biological species that affect human society and economy, resolving this interplay between chance and necessity in evolution will help in the development of biological and chemical control strategies. An additional goal of this project is to train young scientists prepared to take the lead in analyzing molecular variation on genome-wide scales, and relating it to anatomical and physiological traits and environmental factors. Such training is essential for further advances in human medicine, agriculture, forestry, and biotechnology. This project will provide an opportunity for students to acquire first-hand research experience and expand their career options by complementing theoretical education with a practical application of the latest concepts and techniques.