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，双壳类可能掌握着理解衰老的秘密。就像树轮一样，双壳类在它们的贝壳中记录了生长增量。今天，地球上最长寿的动物之一是北极贝，它可以活到500多年。除了这一物种，十多种现代双壳类被证明可以活到100多年。虽然现代双壳类的寿命因其经济重要性而广为人知，但对化石双壳类的寿命却知之甚少。这项工作研究了化石双壳类的寿命和增长率，以了解系统发育(进化关系)和环境控制对寿命的影响。该项目为西班牙裔服务机构的学生提供真实的研究经验，并为目前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计划和生物海洋学计划资助。使用岩石年代学工具获得的生活史数据有助于更好地了解宏观演化过程。然而，将生活史分析应用于化石生物领域还处于起步阶段，还有很多工作要做。这一提议将联合核年代学和古生物学领域，并为一条新的研究道路奠定基础。利用化石双壳类，主要的三个问题是：1)寿命是可遗传的特征；2)体型趋势能否用生活史策略的变化来解释；3)纬度生活史梯度是否在交替的气候环境中发生变化。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体验；2)为当前的高中教师和正在攻读教学学位的本科生举办研讨会；3)为本科生创建有偿实验室助理职位并支持出席国家会议；以及4)增加社区和K-12学生接触山姆·休斯顿自然历史选集的机会。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。

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.