NSF PRFB FY 2023: Disentangling convergent evolutionary color patterns from underlying ecological processes in the clownfish-sea anemone symbiosis.

该行动资助了美国国家科学基金会2023财年生物学博士后研究奖学金，研究基因组，环境和表型之间相互作用的生命规则的综合研究。该奖学金支持将以创新方式为生活规则领域做出贡献的研究员的研究和培训。这名研究员将研究是什么生态条件导致了小丑鱼的颜色图案。小丑鱼有28种，但只有三种不同的颜色。这些颜色图案并不是从一个共同的祖先进化而来的，而是在它们生活的海葵物种中融合而来的。尽管科学家们已经研究了100多年的趋同进化的生命规律，但我们还没有理解是什么生态过程导致了颜色图案的趋同。小丑鱼-海葵共生关系提供了一个标志性的模型来测试小丑鱼的行为、饮食、微生物群落和地理分布如何影响它们与海葵宿主的颜色模式的趋同。颜色图案是所有生态系统中公认的引人注目的特征，该项目将为理解动物如何进化出不同的颜色图案提供必要的背景。该项目将通过公众参与和前沿研究培训机会，扩大科学参与。小丑鱼和海葵的共生关系为颜色模式的融合提供了一种独特的模式，因为它们的生活方式主要是根据它们的环境而定的。这种共生关系的辐射范围很广，这为测试是否有地理环境影响小丑鱼的颜色模式提供了机会。由于小丑鱼是附著的，它们的行为、饮食和微生物群可能会根据宿主海葵的种类而变化，并影响它们的颜色模式收敛。因此，该研究员将使用综合方法研究小丑鱼颜色模式收敛的生态背景。该研究员将结合视频分析行为，稳定同位素分析饮食和营养水平，微生物组分析皮肤，鳃和肠道微生物遗传学在小丑鱼-海葵共生范围内的地理不同区域。该研究员将接受每项分析方面的培训，并将通过美国国家科学基金会本科项目研究经验传授这一宝贵的培训。教育材料将提供给代表性不足和资金不足社区的学生。该研究员将在阿拉巴马水族馆、学校和其他公共场所通过虚拟展示和“遇见科学家”演讲吸引公众。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2023, Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment, and Phenotypes. The fellowship supports the research and training of the fellow that will contribute to the area of Rules of Life in innovative ways. The fellow will study what ecological conditions gave rise to the color patterns of clownfish. There are 28 species of clownfish, but only three distinct color patterns. These color patterns did not evolve from a common ancestor and instead converged on the species of anemones they live in. Although scientists have been studying the rule of life governing convergent evolution for over 100 years, we have yet to understand what ecological processes underlie the convergence of color patterns. The clownfish-anemone symbiosis provides an iconic model to test how clownfish behavior, diet, microbial community, and geographic distributions influence the convergence of their color patterns from their anemone hosts. Color patterns are compelling traits that are recognized in all ecosystems, and the project will provide the context necessary for understanding how animals evolve different color patterns. The project will broaden participation in science through public engagement and training opportunities on cutting-edge research.The clownfish-anemone symbiosis provides a unique model for color pattern convergence as their lifestyle is primarily site attached and tailored to their environment. The symbiosis has radiated broadly, which provides opportunities for testing whether there is a geographical context that influences the color patterns of clownfish. Since clownfish are site attached, their behavior, diet, and microbiome may vary based on the species of anemones that host them and influence their color pattern convergence. Accordingly, the fellow will investigate the ecological context of color pattern convergence in clownfish using an integrative approach. The fellow will combine video analyses for behavior, stable isotope analyses for diet and trophic level, and microbiome analyses for skin, gill, and gut microbial genetics at geographically distinct areas throughout the range of clownfish-anemone symbioses. The fellow will be trained in each analysis and will pass on this invaluable training via NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate programs. Educational material will be provided to students in underrepresented and underfunded communities. The fellow will engage the public via virtual displays and ‘Meet the Scientist’ presentations at the Alabama Aquarium, schools, and other public settings.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.