DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Integrative Morphological Evolution in Philippine Forest Lizards of the Genus Sphenomorphus

小型化体型的进化在脊椎动物中发生过多次。本计画将探讨菲律宾楔鼻蜥属小型石龙子的小型化演化过程。这些蜥蜴在多个独立的事件中进化出小型化的物种，允许测试形态发育和成年体型之间的相关性。将遗传数据，成年形态，生态学和个体发育允许一个综合的方法来理解蜥蜴小型化的身体形态的进化。这项研究将是第一个与蜥蜴小型化相关的个体发育变化的综合研究。 此外，这项研究是第一次系统发育检查的一个不同的东南亚石龙子，有一个长期的历史，可以追溯到19世纪的分类模糊。实地工作将与来自多所大学的菲律宾学生合作进行，以便进行实地方法和发育生物学方面的培训。分子和形态学数据的收集将涉及对堪萨斯大学本科生的培训，为他们提供科学研究的经验。收集到的所有数据将通过一个蜥蜴形态学和分类学的在线数据库向公众提供。

The evolution of a miniaturized body form has occurred many times in vertebrate animals. This project will investigate the evolutionary process of miniaturization within the diminutive skinks in the genus Sphenomorphus from the Philippines. These lizards have evolved miniaturized species during multiple, independent events, allowing for a test of correlation between morphological development and adult body form. The incorporation of genetic data, adult morphology, ecology, and ontogenetic development allows for an integrative approach to understanding the evolution of miniaturized body form in skinks. This study will be the first integrative examination of ontogenetic change associated with miniaturization in lizards. Furthermore, this study is the first phylogenetic examination of a diverse group of Southeast Asian skinks that have a long history of taxonomic ambiguity reaching back to the 19th century. Fieldwork will be conducted in collaboration with Filipino students from multiple universities, allowing training in field methodologies and developmental biology. Collection of molecular and morphological data will involve the training of undergraduates at the University of Kansas, providing them with experience in scientific research. All data collected will be available to the public through an online database of skink morphology and taxonomy.