DISSERTATION RESEARCH: A genomic approach to understanding allopatric differentiation in tropical montane birds

新物种的形成（物种形成）通常被认为是从种群的地理隔离开始的。当一个物种的不同种群被地理屏障隔离时，它们很可能会进化出差异。如果在隔离中产生的差异很大，这些种群将被视为不同的物种。然而，控制物种形成初始阶段的过程，即地理隔离种群的分化，却知之甚少。该建议调查的因素，控制地理隔离的种群分化。特别是，它研究的作用，在地理隔离花费的时间，并通过时间经历的地理隔离的程度，在确定人口分化的水平发挥。该建议使用在安第斯山脉云雾森林中发现的鸟类作为假设检验的模型系统，因为该地区的许多种群在地理障碍上表现出不同的分化水平。最近开发的遗传技术将被用来推断遗传分化的水平，博物馆标本的安第斯鸟类将能够测量分化的羽毛和形态之间的population.Understanding差异的原因，从地理上孤立的物种将有助于照亮的过程中所涉及的物种形成的初始阶段，为地球上的一大部分？的生物多样性。该项目包括培训秘鲁科学家和指导芝加哥地区的高中生和大学生掌握实验室方法。该项目还将涉及在芝加哥菲尔德博物馆的DNA发现中心进行遗传和进化研究的公共教育推广。

The formation of new species (speciation) is generally thought to begin with geographic isolation of populations. When different populations of a single species are isolated by geographic barriers, they are likely to evolve differences. If the differences accrued in isolation are substantial, these populations will be considered different species. However, the processes that control the initial stage of speciation, the differentiation of geographically isolated populations, are poorly understood. This proposal investigates the factors that control differentiation of populations in geographic isolation. In particular, it examines the roles that time spent in geographic isolation, and the degree of geographic isolation experienced through time, play in determining levels of population differentiation. This proposal uses bird species found in the cloud forest of the Andes as a model system for hypothesis testing, as many populations in this region show variable levels of differentiation across geographic barriers. Recently developed genetic techniques will be used to infer levels of genetic differentiation, and museum specimens of Andean birds will enable measurement of differentiation in plumage and morphology among populations.Understanding the causes of different amounts of divergence from geographically isolated species will help illuminate the processes involved in the initial phase of speciation for a large portion of earth?s biodiversity. This project includes training of Peruvian scientists and mentorship of local Chicago area high school students and undergraduates in laboratory methods. This project also will involve public educational outreach on genetic and evolutionary research at the DNA Discovery Center at the Field Museum in Chicago.