CAREER: Evolutionary genetics of mate discrimination in the fly Drosophila subquinaria

进化生物学的一个中心目标是了解新物种是如何形成的，以及维持物种之间界限的过程。本研究将探讨亚奎那亚果蝇生殖隔离的早期和最终阶段的进化遗传模式。该物种的一些雌性对近亲物种的雄性以及对自己物种的某些雄性都表现出更大的行为歧视。本研究将测试加强不同物种之间边界的生态过程和遗传机制是否会导致同一物种不同种群之间的行为隔离。这些方法将整合实地研究、遗传作图和进化基因组方法。这笔资金将把研究与教学结合起来，提供研究机会，开发教育材料，在更广泛的层面上促进对进化过程的理解。教育活动将把研究的核心思想转化为以探究为基础的课堂练习，通过学习进化是如何运作的以及进化在行动中的后果，帮助学生理解为什么进化在他们的日常生活中很重要。研究生、本科生和高中教师将参与科学研究、课程开发和公众宣传的各个方面。

A central goal of evolutionary biology is to understand both how new species form and the processes that maintain boundaries between species. This study will investigate the evolutionary genetic patterns of the early versus final stages of reproductive isolation in the fly Drosophila subquinaria. Some females of this species display increased behavioral discrimination both against males of a closely related species as well as against certain males of their own species. This research will test whether the ecological processes and genetic mechanisms that reinforce boundaries between different species can result in behavioral isolation among different populations of the same species. The methods will integrate field studies, genetic mapping, and evolutionary genomic approaches.This funding will integrate research with teaching and learning to provide research opportunities and to develop educational materials that advance the understanding of evolutionary processes at the broader level. Educational activities will translate the focal ideas of the research into inquiry-based classroom exercises that will help students understand why evolution is important in their daily lives through learning about how it operates and the consequences of evolution in action. Graduate students, undergraduates, and high school teachers will be involved in all aspects of the scientific research, curriculum development, and public outreach.