DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogeographic analysis of introgressive gene flow among nuclear loci functionally linked to the mitochondrion

跨物种的遗传研究经常发现核和细胞器(包括线粒体)基因组之间的冲突模式。基因组分化的不同模式可能可以用与遗传、基因流动和突变率相关的差异来解释，但这些基因组之间的共同进化相互作用如何影响遗传分化尚不清楚。利用达斯基火蜥蜴和革命性的DNA测序技术，将比较核基因组和线粒体基因组之间的进化差异模式，重点是在线粒体内发挥作用的核基因。暗色火蜥蜴是这个项目的一个很好的系统，因为它们在北美东部具有区域多样性，并展示了跨越物种边界的基因流动。这些标准，以及不断增长的可供火蜥蜴使用的遗传资源，使它们成为测试核和核编码线粒体基因之间相互冲突的进化模式的极佳系统。这项研究将有助于研究生培训使用快速变化和先进的基因技术，并通过同行评议的研究和本科生指导，帮助为学术生涯做准备。这项研究的结果将为研究人员如何利用基因组数据重建生命树提供新的见解，并将有助于理解影响遗传分化和物种形成的过程。

Genetic studies across species frequently uncover conflicting patterns between the nuclear and organellar (including mitochondria) genomes. Contrasting patterns of genomic divergence can potentially be explained by differences related to inheritance, gene flow, and mutation rate, but it is unknown how co-evolutionary interactions between these genomes influence genetic divergence. Using Dusky Salamanders and revolutionary DNA sequencing technologies, evolutionary patterns of divergence will be compared between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, with a focus on nuclear genes that function within the mitochondrion. Dusky salamanders are an excellent system for this project because they are regionally diverse in eastern North America and have demonstrated gene flow across species boundaries. These criteria, and the growing genetic resources available for salamanders, make them an excellent system to test for conflicting evolutionary patterns between nuclear and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes.This research will contribute toward graduate student training in the use of rapidly changing and advancing genetic technologies and help preparations for an academic career through peer-reviewed research and undergraduate mentorship. Results from this study will provide new insights into how researchers should use genomic data to reconstruct the Tree of Life, and will contribute to an understanding of the processes that influence genetic divergence and speciation.