Hormones and Phenotypic Integration: Comparing Sexes, Individuals and Populations

激素通过响应环境信号和改变大脑和身体目标组织中的基因表达来整合行为和生理。然而，当一个物种的环境发生变化时，最具适应性的反应可能是在一些目标组织中失去激素敏感性。一个悬而未决的问题是，激素介导的特征是否可以以这种方式分离。本研究将集中于类固醇激素睾酮及其对鸣禽物种黑眼junco雄性和雌性行为和生理的综合作用。激素介导性状的表型整合或独立性的相对重要性对生命史的进化、性别差异和新物种的形成具有重要意义。这项研究将有助于培养具有不同背景的未来科学家进行结合多学科技术和观点的实验室和实地研究。这项研究的潜在社会意义包括对环境中激素活性物质影响的更多了解，以及自然种群对气候变化改变的环境作出有效反应的能力。

Hormones integrate behavior and physiology by responding to environmental signals and altering gene expression in target tissues in the brain and the body. However, when the environment of a species changes, the most adaptive response might be to lose hormone sensitivity at some of the target tissues. An open question is whether hormone-mediated traits can be decoupled in such a way. This research will focus on the steroid hormone testosterone and its integrating effect on the behavior and physiology of males and females of a songbird species, the dark-eyed junco. The relative importance of phenotypic integration or independence of hormonally mediated traits has significant implications for the evolution of life histories, sex differences, and the formation of new species.The research will help to train future scientists of diverse backgrounds in the conduct of laboratory and field research that combines techniques and perspectives from multiple disciplines. Potential societal implications of the research include greater knowledge of the impact of hormonally active agents in the environment, and the ability of natural populations to respond effectively to environments altered by climate change.