Evolutionary origins of female katydid preferences for specific characteristics of male vocalizations

这个项目解决了新特征进化的基本生物学问题，即没有明显先兆的特征。PI使用了一种新的行为特征，即女性对领先呼叫的偏好，来研究导致这一特征演变的机制。使用不同的研究系统(Neoconocephalus Katydids)，PI使用广泛的实验来测试所有可能有助于新特征进化的相关因素。实验方法包括行为测试、繁殖实验、生物声学分析和神经生物学分析。所有实验都将在最多10个物种之间进行比较。这些结果可以说是迄今为止关于一种新性状进化的最完整的图景，允许对多个适应性和非适应性假设进行批判性评估。这项研究将对在生理和进化层面上理解生物多样性的起源作出重大贡献。通过进一步了解气候和其他环境变量影响性状表达的作用，了解生物多样性的起源可能反过来有助于生物多样性的保护。这项研究的更广泛影响不仅包括对保护生物多样性的潜在贡献，还包括培养未来的科学家。将培养四名研究生和多名本科生。方法的广泛性使这个项目成为训练学生综合研究复杂生物学问题的理想选择。PI还通过将当前的研究方法整合到本科课程中的研讨会，以及通过建立多个机构的生物教育工作者社区，向地区二年制和四年制大学的其他生物学教师伸出援手。

This project addresses the fundamental biological question of the evolution of novel traits, i.e. traits that do not have obvious precursors. The PIs use a novel behavioral trait, namely the female preference for leading calls, to study the mechanisms that lead to the evolution of this trait. Using a diverse study system (Neoconocephalus katydids), the PIs use a broad range of experiments to test all relevant factors that could potentially contribute to the evolution of the novel trait. Experimental methods include behavioral tests, breeding experiments, bioacoustic analyses and neurobiological analyses. All experiments will be conducted comparatively among up to ten species. The results will produce arguably the most complete picture of the evolution of a novel trait to date, allowing critical evaluation of multiple adaptive and non-adaptive hypotheses. This study will be a major contribution to the understanding of the origins of biodiversity at both the physiological and evolutionary levels. Understanding the origins of biodiversity may in turn contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, by furthering the understanding of the role that climate and other environmental variables impact trait expression.The broader impacts of this study include not only potential contributions to preserving biodiversity, but also educating future scientists. Four graduate students and multiple undergraduate students will be trained. The breadth of approaches makes this project ideal for training students in the integrative study of complex biological problems. The PIs also reach out to other biology faculty at regional 2- and 4-year colleges through workshops on integrating current research approaches into the undergraduate curriculum, and by building a community of biology educators across multiple institutions.