DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Can the degree of mimicry predict levels of genetic structure among populations? A test using mimetic ground beetles

该项目将分析来自南美洲的一种新的拟态系统中遗传多样性的空间模式，以研究驱动拟态系统相似性的过程是否也能促进物种内的多样性。拟态系统，多个物种进化相互相似，以减少捕食，是研究生物多样性产生过程的绝佳天然实验室。模拟系统中的物种通常表现出不同的地理形态，这就提出了关于这种多样性如何起源和维持的问题。解决这个问题将量化自然选择在促进和维持种群间遗传分化方面的作用。此外，本研究将为利用形态性状预测遗传结构水平提供基础。后者将是特别有用的保护目的，特别是在群体或系统中的遗传数据可能无法获得。这些目标将通过进行精细尺度的景观遗传研究拟甲虫从Ceroglossus使用下一代测序数据。样本将在具有不同地理形态和表型匹配水平的地区收集，并来自两个或三个不同的物种。颜色差异和遗传分化之间的相关性测试将告知模仿的选择是否会影响遗传结构的水平，而基于模型的人口统计推断将提供统计上的严格性，以区分驱动这种模式的特定机制。该项目将鼓励与智利研究人员和学生合作研究一个新的和迷人的模型系统。

This project will analyze spatial patterns of genetic diversity in a novel mimicry system from South America to investigate whether the processes driving resemblance in mimicry systems can also promote diversity within species. Mimicry systems, where multiple species evolve mutual resemblance to reduce predation, are excellent natural laboratories to study the processes generating biodiversity. Species in mimetic systems often exhibit diverse geographic morphologies, which raises questions about how this diversity originated and is maintained. Addressing this question will quantify the role of natural selection in promoting and maintaining genetic differentiation among populations. Additionally, this research will provide a basis for using morphological traits to predict levels of genetic structure. The later will be especially useful for conservation purposes, particularly in groups or systems in which genetic data might not be available.These goals will be addressed by conducting a fine scale landscape genetic study on mimetic beetles from the genus Ceroglossus using next generation sequencing data. Samples will be collected across areas with different geographic morphs and levels of phenotypic matching, and from two or three different species. Correlation tests between color differences and genetic differentiation will inform whether selection for mimicry can impact levels of genetic structure, whereas model-based demographic inferences will provide statistical rigor to distinguish between specific mechanisms driving such patterns. This project will encourage collaborative work with Chilean researchers and students on the study of a new and fascinating model system.