CAREER: Using fossil bivalves to study controls on longevity and establish a paleobiological learning ecosystem in southeast Texas

最近的发现表明，双壳类动物可能掌握着理解衰老的秘密。就像树木的年轮一样，双壳类动物的壳记录了它们的生长增量。如今，地球上最长寿的动物之一是北极岛蛤，它们可以活500多年。除了这个物种，还有十几种现代双壳类动物已经被证明可以活到100岁以上。虽然现代双壳类动物的寿命因其经济重要性而广为人知，但对化石双壳类动物的寿命却知之甚少。这项工作考察了双壳类化石的寿命和生长速度，以了解系统发育（进化关系）和环境对寿命的控制。该项目为西班牙裔服务机构的学生提供了真实的研究体验，并为当前的高中教师和科学教育专业的本科生创建了讲习班。该项目由沉积地质与古生物学计划和生物海洋学计划资助。使用年代学工具获得的生命史数据有助于更好地理解宏观进化过程。然而，生命史分析应用于化石生物的领域还处于起步阶段，还有许多工作要做。这一建议将把年代学和古生物学结合起来，为开辟新的研究道路奠定基础。使用化石双壳类，三个主要问题是：1)寿命是一种可遗传的特征吗？2)体型变化是否可以用生活史策略的变化来解释；3)在不同气候条件下，纬度生活史梯度是否发生变化。该项目的教育部分将：1)将无脊椎古生物学课程修改为基于课程的本科研究经历；2)为在职高中教师和攻读教学学位的本科生举办研讨会；3)设立带薪实验室助理职位，支持本科生参加全国性会议；4)增加社区和K-12学生接触萨姆·休斯顿自然历史收藏的机会。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。

Recent discoveries have suggested that bivalves might hold the secrets to understanding ageing. Like tree rings, bivalves record growth increments in their shells. Today, one of the longest-lived animals on the planet is the clam Arctica islandica, which can live for over 500 years. In addition to this species, over a dozen modern bivalves have been shown to live for over 100 years. While longevity of modern bivalves is well known because of their economic importance, very little is known about the lifespans of fossil bivalves. This work examines lifespans and growth rates of fossil bivalves to understand the phylogenetic (evolutionary relationships) and environmental controls on longevity. This project provides authentic research experiences for students at a Hispanic Serving Institution and creates workshops for current high school teachers and undergraduate students majoring in science education. The project is funded by the Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Program and the Biological Oceanography Program.Life history data derived from using the tools of sclerochronology can contribute to a better understanding of macroevolutionary processes. However, the field of life history analysis applied to fossil organisms is in its infancy and much work remains to be done. This proposal will unite the fields of sclerochronology and paleobiology and lay the foundation for a new path of research. Using fossil bivalves, the three primary questions are: 1) is lifespan a heritable trait; 2) can body size trends be explained by changes in life history strategy; and 3) do latitudinal life history gradients change in alternate climate settings. The educational component of this project will: 1) modify an Invertebrate Paleontology course into a course-based undergraduate research experience; 2) run workshops for current high school teachers and undergraduate students pursuing teaching degrees; 3) create paid lab assistant positions and support attendance at national conferences for undergraduate students; and 4) increase community and K-12 student access to the Sam Houston Natural History Collections.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.