RIG: Genotype × environment interaction in mate preferences and signals

性特征，如求偶表现，往往是近亲物种中最不同的特征。因此，要了解自然界中多样性的起源和维持，就需要了解性选择(争夺配偶及其配子)。它的基本机制取决于性特征的遗传学，最近关于它们的遗传结构的发现正在给该领域带来革命性的变化。该项目将提供迄今为止关于性特征反应标准的最全面的信息(反应标准是显示相同基因的个体在不同环境中可以采取的形式的曲线)。男性和女性反应规范的不同模式可能会对性选择产生不同的后果，从阻碍这一过程到引发和促进分歧。但我们没有足够的数据来评估哪些结果是常见的。该项目将为进行这一评估提供基础。这需要一个研究小组，在这个小组中，性选择和环境变化已知会影响分歧。Enchenopa树蝉就是这种情况，它是一种以植物为食的昆虫，通过振动信号(通过植物茎传播的声音)进行交流。研究方法涉及定量遗传学(其中育种设计被用来估计遗传参数，例如在牛身上)，以及最先进的激光测振法来监测振动通信。该项目将扩大代表不足的少数群体对科学的参与，并将研究、教学和外联活动结合起来。初级参与者将接触到积极的榜样，而更多的高级参与者将接受提供指导的培训。该项目将利用密尔沃基城市生态中心的优势，在讲座和实地活动中向公众展示核心发现。

Sexual traits such as courtship displays are often the most diverse features among closely related species. Understanding the origin and maintenance of diversity in nature thus requires understanding sexual selection (competition for mates and their gametes). Its basic mechanism hinges on the genetics of sexual traits, and recent findings about their genetic architecture are revolutionizing the field. This project will provide the most comprehensive information to date on the reaction norms of sexual traits (reaction norms are curves that show the forms that individuals of the same genotype can take in different environments). Different patterns in the reaction norms of male and females may have different consequences for sexual selection, all the way from hindering the process to initiating and promoting divergence. But we do not have enough data to assess which outcomes are common. This project will provide the foundation for making this assessment. This requires a study group in which sexual selection and environmental variation are known to influence divergence. This is the case in Enchenopa treehoppers, which are plant-feeding insects that communicate with vibrational signals (sounds that travel through plant stems.) Research methods involve quantitative genetics (in which breeding designs are used to estimate genetic parameters, as for example with cattle), and state-of-the-art laser vibrometry to monitor vibrational communication. This project will broaden the participation of under-represented minorities in science, and integrate research, teaching and outreach activities. Junior participants will be exposed to positive role models while more senior participants train in providing mentorship. The project will take advantage of Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center to present core findings to the public in lectures and field activities.