NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2017: Speciation and Phenotypic Diversification of Australian Squamates and the Role of Ancient Climate Change

这是美国国家科学基金会生物学博士后研究奖学金，隶属于“扩大生物学中代表性不足群体的参与”项目。这位名叫菲利普·斯基普维斯（Phillip Skipwith）的研究员正在进行研究并接受培训，以增加生物学中代表性不足的群体的参与。他的导师是美国自然历史博物馆的弗兰克·伯林克。本研究以马达加斯加的蛇为模型系统，调查了生物如何在孤立的地区实现物种多样性和解剖多样性。这是一种完全局限于马达加斯加的蛇，种类丰富，生态多样。他正在使用遗传学和解剖学（骨骼的3D扫描）来重建这些蛇的进化树，以确定不同物种之间的关系。该研究可广泛应用于进化生物学和环境保护领域。首先，它采用了最先进的方法来研究世界上一个拥有独特动物群的地区的一组鲜为人知的生物。这些发现将为研究动物如何适应新环境提供重要信息。此外，马达加斯加是一个孤立的地区，迫切需要保护倡议，这需要了解物种多样性和生态。像这样的研究对于理解和保护脆弱的生物多样性至关重要。他正在利用从超保守元素和外显子组合中获得的系统基因组数据，为马达加斯加蛇建立一个健全的系统发育。肌肉骨骼系统的三维计算机断层成像（3D CT）也被用于比较系统发育方法，以研究宏观进化动力学，包括多样化率、表型多样化率、物种形成与性状进化之间的关系以及趋同进化。生态位模型也被用来估计马达加斯加的哪些地区和主要生物群系（如果有的话）是生物多样性的引擎。在培训方面，该研究员正在开发在系统发育背景下分析3D CT数据所需的技能，以及计算方法开发所需的技术知识。最后，该研究员通过外展活动和指导，增加了少数族裔和代表性不足的群体对STEM领域的参与

This is an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, under the program Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology. The fellow, Phillip Skipwith, is conducting research and receiving training that is increasing the participation of groups underrepresented in biology. The fellow is being mentored by Frank Burbrink at the American Museum of Natural History. This research investigates how organisms achieve both species diversity and anatomical diversity in isolated regions, using the snakes of Madagascar as a model system. This is a group of snakes restricted entirely to Madagascar and is both rich in species and diverse in terms of ecology. The fellow is using genetics and anatomy (3D scans of skeletons) to reconstruct the evolutionary tree of these snakes to determine how different species are related. This study is generally applicable to the fields of evolutionary biology and environmental conservation. First, it incorporates cutting edge methods on a poorly understood group of organisms in a region of the world with a unique fauna. These findings will provide important information on how animals adapt to novel environments. Furthermore, Madagascar is an isolated region in dire need of conservation initiatives, which need to be informed by an understanding of species diversity and ecology. Studies like this are critical for understanding and conserving fragile biodiversity for generations to come.The fellow is using phylogenomic data garnered from a combination of ultraconserved elements and exons to build a robust phylogeny for Malagasy snakes. Three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging (3D CT) of the musculoskeletal system are also being used for comparative phylogenetic methods, to investigate macroevolutionary dynamics including diversification rates, rates phenotypic diversification, the relationship between speciation and trait evolution, and convergent evolution. Ecological niche modeling is also being used to estimate which regions and major biomes of Madagascar, if any, act as engines of biodiversity. In terms of training, the fellow is developing the skills needed for analyzing 3D CT data in a phylogenetic context as well as the technical knowledge needed for computational methods development. Lastly, the fellow is increasing minority and underrepresented group involvement in STEM fields through outreach initiatives and mentorin