SG: Evolutionary lag and the effects of clonal structure

在快速变化的环境中，生物体必须不断进化以保持生存和繁殖的能力。快速的环境变化可能以多种方式发生，例如新病原体和疾病的出现，竞争物种的入侵，以及温度或其他气候条件的变化。然而，进化的速度要慢得多，因为基因突变是罕见的，而且要经过许多代才能使有利的突变变得普遍。这种时间延迟导致了一种称为进化滞后的现象，这是一个种群目前生存和繁殖的能力与一旦有利的突变变得普遍时的能力之间的差异。 这项研究将研究进化滞后是否受到生物体生活史的影响，即，生物体如何生存和繁殖。这项研究开发的数学和计算机模拟模型将产生关于生活史如何影响进化滞后的可验证的假设。 在这个项目中创建的模型对于理解和预测变化条件下的进化和灭绝模式至关重要。这种理解可以用来指导和优先考虑保护工作。 该项目也很重要，因为增加数学素养和更好地了解生物科学，数学和统计之间的联系已被确定为研究生和本科教育的关键问题。参与这项工作的学生将受益于紧密结合进化生物学和数学的研究经验。招聘将侧重于传统上代表性不足的群体的参与，并将利用现有的大学基础设施，增加科学培训的多样性。 作为这项研究的推广工作的一部分，将制作一个关于生物学和数学界面的简短视频演示。

In rapidly changing environments, organisms must constantly evolve to maintain the ability to survive and reproduce. Rapid environmental change may happen in many ways, such as the emergence of new pathogens and diseases, invasion by competing species, and shifts in temperature or other climatic conditions. Evolution, however, happens much more slowly because genetic mutations are rare and it takes many generations for favorable mutations to become common. This time delay results in a phenomenon called evolutionary lag, which is the difference between a population's ability to survive and reproduce currently and its ability to do so once favorable mutations have become common. This research will examine whether evolutionary lag is influenced by an organism's life history, i.e., how the organism lives and reproduces. The mathematical and computer simulation models developed by this research will generate testable hypotheses about how life history affects evolutionary lag. Models like those created in this project are crucial for understanding and predicting patterns of evolution and extinction under changing conditions. This understanding can then be used to guide and prioritize conservation efforts. The project is also important because increased mathematical literacy and a better understanding of the linkages between the biological sciences, mathematics, and statistics have been identified as key concerns for both graduate and undergraduate education. Students participating in this work will benefit from a research experience that closely integrates evolutionary biology and mathematics. Recruitment will focus on the involvement of traditionally underrepresented groups and will utilize existing university infrastructure for increasing diversity in scientific training. As part of the outreach efforts of this research, a short video presentation on the interface of biology and mathematics will be developed.