Collaborative Research: Eye evolution in Sarsielloidea (Crustacea: Ostracoda): an integrative approach based on phylogenetics, developmental genetics, behavior and optics.

在同一物种中，雄性和雌性的差别很大。这被称为两性二态性。该项目旨在揭示一种被称为“种子虾”或介形虫的甲壳类动物中激进的两性二态性的进化、发展和生态目的。虽然与女性相比，男性没有额外的遗传信息（他们没有Y染色体），但他们能够产生能够形成图像的大眼睛，而女性只有初级的眼睛，无法形成图像。该项目将结合发育生物学、生物信息学、系统遗传学和下一代测序，揭示不同物种雄性和雌性的遗传差异，显示不同程度的性别二态性。利用这些数据和从世界各地的介形类收集的数据，研究人员也将能够阐明这种二态性的进化史。此外，研究人员将通过测试雄性是否需要形成图像的眼睛来获得较高的交配成功率，来研究这种二态性背后的行为方面。该项目的广泛影响是多方面的：首先，该项目将有助于对生态背景下两性异形的遗传和进化有新的认识。第二，本项目为健康预科和研究生预科的本科生、硕士研究生、博士后研究人员以及初级和高级教师提供了多层次的研究机会。这些研究人员在扩大代表性不足的群体参与科学方面有着强有力的服务记录，初步工作已经为来自代表性不足的群体的几个人提供了研究机会，包括项目主任。第三，这项研究将加强与瑞典研究小组的国际合作。最后，这项研究将提供关于眼睛进化的关键额外数据，这是一个长期吸引公众的主题，使研究人员能够通过外展为公众教育做出贡献。

Within a single species males and females can differ dramatically. This is known as sexual dimorphism. This project aims at uncovering the evolution, development, and ecological purpose of a radical sexual dimorphism in a group of crustaceans known as "seed shrimp" or ostracods. While males do not contain additional genetic information compared to females (they have no Y chromosome), they are able to generate large image-forming eyes whereas females have only rudimentary eyes that cannot form an image. This project will combine developmental biology, bioinformatics, phylogenetics and next-generation sequencing to uncover the genetic differences in males and females in various species showing different levels of sexual dimorphism. Using these data and data collected from ostracods worldwide, the researchers will also be able to elucidate the evolutionary history of this dimorphism. In addition, the researchers will examine the behavioral aspects underlying this dimorphism by testing whether males require image-forming eyes to have a high mating success rate. The broader impacts of this project are multifold: First, this project will contribute new understanding regarding the genetics and evolution of sexual dimorphism in an ecological context. Second, this project provides research opportunities for researchers at many levels including pre-health and pre-grad undergraduates, masters students, post-doctoral researchers, and junior and senior faculty. The researchers have strong records of service in broadening participation of under-represented groups in science and preliminary work has already provided research opportunities for several individuals from underrepresented groups including the project director. Third, this research will strengthen international collaboration with a Swedish research group. Finally, this research will provide key additional data regarding the evolution of eyes, a subject which has long fascinated the public, allowing the researchers to contribute to public education via outreach.