DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Batesian mimicry: the evolution of deceptive coloration

在巴氏拟态中，一个无害的动物模仿一个危险的动物来欺骗它的捕食者。拟态的自然选择是强烈的，但我们不知道物种如何？对选择的反应是由它们可用于适应的遗传和生物化学机制介导的，或者是由捕食者施加的选择如何受到它们的感觉系统的影响。这个项目将探讨这些问题的猩红王蛇（Lampropeltis elapsoides），这不完全模仿致命的东部珊瑚蛇（Micrurus fulvius）。这个项目的第一部分将研究模型和模仿者用来产生欺骗性颜色的化学物质，以及这种欺骗性颜色是如何被他们的捕食者感知的。该项目的第二部分将探索模仿可以通过表型可塑性（当相同的基因在不同的环境中产生不同的表型）进化的可能性。这个项目将帮助我们了解物种如何从不同的基因中产生适应性，为什么物种并不总是进化到完美地适应选择的要求，以及生物体之间的相互作用是如何被它们先前存在的特征所塑造的。与此同时，该项目将通过向青年科学家提供亲身体验研究的机会，为他们提供教育宣传，并将通过积极招募代表性不足群体的成员，扩大接触科学的机会。

In Batesian mimicry, a harmless animal resembles a dangerous one to deceive its predators. Natural selection for mimicry is strong, but we do not know how species? responses to selection are mediated by the genetic and biochemical mechanisms available to them for adaptation, or how the selection imposed by predators is affected by their sensory systems. This project will explore these questions in the scarlet king snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides), which imperfectly mimics the deadly eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius). The first part of this project will examine the chemicals that models and mimics use to produce their deceptive coloration, and how this deceptive coloration is perceived by their predators. The second part of the project will explore the possibility that mimicry can evolve via phenotypic plasticity (when the same genes produce different phenotypes in different environments). This project will help us understand how species produce their adaptations from different genes, why species do not always evolve to fit the demands of selection perfectly, and how the interactions between organisms are shaped by their preexisting characteristics. At the same time, this project will provide educational outreach for young scientists by providing them with opportunities to experience research first-hand, and will broaden access to science by actively recruiting members of under-represented groups.