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

合作研究：沙氏菌纲（甲壳纲：介形纲）的眼睛进化：一种基于系统发育、发育遗传学、行为和光学的综合方法。

• 批准号: 1146490
• 负责人: Ajna Rivera
• 金额: $ 21.36万
• 依托单位: University of the Pacific
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1146490&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Eye; evolution; Sarsielloidea

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.

在一个物种中，雄性和雌性可能会有很大的不同。这就是所谓的性别二形性。这个项目旨在揭示一群甲壳类动物中激进的性别二型性的进化、发展和生态目的，这些甲壳类动物被称为“种子虾”或介形虫。虽然与女性相比，男性不包含额外的遗传信息(他们没有Y染色体)，但他们能够产生巨大的成像眼睛，而女性只有不能形成图像的初级眼睛。该项目将结合发育生物学、生物信息学、系统发育学和下一代测序，以揭示不同物种中表现出不同程度的性别二型性的雄性和雌性之间的遗传差异。利用这些数据和从世界各地介形类收集的数据，研究人员还将能够阐明这种二形性的进化史。此外，研究人员将通过测试雄性是否需要成像眼睛才能有高的交配成功率来检查这种二形性背后的行为方面。该项目的广泛影响是多方面的：首先，该项目将有助于在生态背景下对性别二型性的遗传学和进化有新的理解。其次，该项目为多层次的研究人员提供了研究机会，包括健康预科和研究生、硕士研究生、博士后研究人员以及初级和高级教职员工。研究人员在扩大代表性不足群体对科学的参与方面有着良好的服务记录，初步工作已经为代表性不足群体中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，这项研究将提供有关眼睛进化的关键补充数据，这是一个长期以来吸引公众的主题，使研究人员能够通过外展为公共教育做出贡献。