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

体型小型化的进化在脊椎动物中已经发生过很多次。本项目将研究菲律宾石龙子属小型石龙子的小型化进化过程。这些蜥蜴在多个独立的事件中进化成小型化的物种，从而可以测试形态发育和成年体型之间的相关性。结合遗传数据、成年形态、生态学和个体发育，可以采用综合方法来理解石龙子小型化身体形态的进化。这项研究将是第一次对蜥蜴小型化相关的个体发生变化进行综合研究。此外，这项研究是对东南亚石龙子不同群体的第一次系统发育检查，这些群体的分类歧义历史可以追溯到19世纪。实地考察将与来自多所大学的菲律宾学生合作进行，以便在实地方法和发育生物学方面进行培训。分子和形态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经验。所有收集到的数据将通过一个网上的石龙子形态和分类数据库提供给公众。

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.