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，双壳类可能掌握着了解衰老的秘密。就像树木的年轮一样，双壳类动物在它们的壳里记录着生长的增量。今天，地球上最长寿的动物之一是Arctica islandica蛤，它可以活500多年。除了这个物种，超过12个现代双壳类已被证明生活超过100年。虽然现代双壳类的寿命是众所周知的，因为它们的经济重要性，很少有人知道化石双壳类的寿命。这项工作研究的寿命和化石双壳类的生长速度，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真实的研究经验，并为当前的高中教师和科学教育专业的本科生创建研讨会。该项目由沉积地质学和古生物学方案以及生物海洋学方案资助，利用硬化年代学工具获得的生命史数据有助于更好地了解宏观进化过程。然而，应用于化石生物的生活史分析领域还处于起步阶段，还有许多工作要做。这一建议将统一硬化年代学和古生物学领域，并为新的研究路径奠定基础。使用化石双壳类，三个主要的问题是：1）寿命是一个遗传性状; 2）身体大小的趋势可以通过生活史策略的变化来解释; 3）纬度生活史梯度在交替的气候环境中变化。该项目的教育部分将：1）将无脊椎动物古生物学课程修改为基于课程的本科生研究经验; 2）为当前的高中教师和攻读教学学位的本科生举办研讨会; 3）创建带薪实验室助理职位并支持本科生参加全国会议;和4）增加社区和K-12学生访问萨姆休斯顿自然历史收藏。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

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.