Postdoctoral Training in the Hantavirus Project Ecology

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请的目标是培养和扩展智利博士后科学家的能力。这位博士后科学家的目的是验证一种假设，即血清呈阳性的O. longicaudatus在地中海比在温带森林更集中，因为该物种在智利中部的分布更不均匀。这种斑驳的分布格局是由地中海地区的景观生态特征决定的；主要是智利中部干燥，水库物种所需的首选介介栖息地较少。不完整的分布将限制个体在种群之间的流动（即基因流动），并在种群之间创造更大的地理结构。这种集中的、斑驳的分布也会在更集中的地区的局部种群中引起更高的接触率。这种模式应该在分子水平上反映出来，因为与智利南部温带森林的种群相比，该物种北部范围的种群应该具有更多的遗传结构。此外，培训计划将提供对人口内部和人口间的程度的评估

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objectives of this application are to train and expand the capabilities of a post doctoral scientist from Chile. The aims of the post doctoral scientist are to test the hypothesis that seropositive O. longicaudatus are more concentrated in the Mediterranean than in the Temperate Forests, because the species has a more patchy distribution in central Chile. This patchy distribution pattern in the Mediterranean region is due to the ecological characteristics of the landscape; primarily central Chile is drier with less of the preferred mesic habitat required by the reservoir species. A patchy distribution would restrict movement of individuals among populations (i.e., gene flow) and create greater geographic structure among populations. This concentrated, patchy distribution would also induce a higher contact rate within the localized populations of the more mesic areas. This pattern should be reflected at the molecular level as populations should be more genetically structured in the northern range of the species, in contrast to populations of the Temperate Forests in southern Chile. Furthermore, the training plan will provide an assessment of the degree of intra and interpopulational gene flow as a function of geographical distance among the two major eco-regions in Chile, as well as a function of latitude (hence climate). Post doctoral scientist will gain expertise in laboratory techniques, analyses and theory related to molecular population genetics and evolution in the combined laboratories of Drs. Cook and Yates at the University of New Mexico. A close working relationship with the virology laboratory of Dr. Brian Hjelle will provide a key connection to the ongoing quantitative viral RTPCR (TaqMan)studies of these reservoir populations.