Doctoral Dissertation Research: Rhesus macaque canine dimorphism in evolutionary context

在许多灵长类物种中，雄性的犬齿比雌性的要大得多，这一特征被称为犬性二态。在人类中，雄性和雌性的犬齿在大小上非常相似(单形性)。这项博士研究项目调查了模式灵长类动物中大的雄性犬齿的进化和功能，以更好地了解二相性的潜在选择压力，并用作比较数据，以了解为什么这一特征的丧失在人类中进化。该项目为纽约和波多黎各的本科生和研究生提供实地调查和数据分析方面的培训机会。这项研究将结合形态、遗传和行为数据来检验这一假设，即大型公犬是灵长类动物的性选择信号和/或武器。该项目还探索了犬类体型进化的机制(遗传力和选择)。Co-PI将收集关于狗的大小的数据，以调查狗的大小是如何遗传的，以及狗的大小是否预示着繁殖成功。她还将进行实地实验，以确定雄性和雌性是否注意到公犬大小的差异。最后，她将把狗的大小数据与行为数据结合起来，以评估狗的大小是否能预测雄性之间打架的发生和结果。该项目的结果将有助于了解犬类二态进化背后的机制以及人类丧失这一特征的机制。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In many primate species, males have much larger canines than do females, a character known as canine sexual dimorphism. In humans, the canines of males and females are very similar in size (monomorphic). This doctoral research project investigates the evolution and function of large male canine teeth in a model primate species to better understand potential selection pressures for dimorphism, and to use as comparative data to understand why the loss of this feature evolved in humans. This project provides training opportunities in both fieldwork and data analysis for undergraduate and graduate students in New York and Puerto Rico. This study will integrate morphological, genetic, and behavioral data to test the hypothesis that large male canines are a sexually selected signal and/or weapon in primates. This project also explores mechanisms of canine size evolution (heritability and selection). The Co-PI will collect data on canine size to investigate how canine size is inherited and whether canine size predicts reproductive success. She will also conduct field experiments to determine if males and females attend to differences in male canine size. Finally, she will integrate canine size data with behavioral data to assess whether canine size predicts the occurrence and outcome of fights between males. The results of this project will contribute knowledge about the mechanisms behind both the evolution of canine dimorphism and the loss of this character in humans.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.