Evolutionary analyses of sexual dimorphism

雄性和雌性在行为、形态和生理上可能会有显著的差异，这些差异会产生从生物多样性到人类健康的各种后果。因此，了解塑造性别差异的进化力量是进化生物学的一个中心问题。我的研究的总体目标有两个：了解支配性别差异进化的选择性力量、遗传机会和限制的性质，以及了解它们对多样性的影响。为了解决这些问题，我们使用了进化生物学的完整工具包，范围从新理论的发展到选择的实证研究，再到发展遗传学。我们的综合方法为本科生、研究生和博士后实习生的智力发展提供了肥沃的土壤。在这种环境中，学生们可以学习进化生物学特有的广泛的实用技能，以及更一般的科学分析和交流技能。目前的研究建议集中在四个主题上：1)性别选择和冲突在特征多样化中的作用；2)性别二型性变异的生态原因和后果；3)选择历史和遗传变异的性质以适应；以及4)选择的历史、环境和性别偏见的转录组。这项研究将提供对性二型性进化的新见解，包括性选择和冲突在塑造性别差异中的作用，生态变异如何调节进化力，以及古代发育基因和性别之间的遗传联系提供的机会和限制。

Males and females can differ strikingly in behaviour, morphology and physiology, and these differences have consequences ranging from biodiversity to human health. Understanding the evolutionary forces that shape sex differences is therefore a central problem in evolutionary biology. The overall goals of my research are twofold: to understand the nature of selective forces, genetic opportunities and constraints that govern the evolution of sexual differences, and to understand their consequences for diversification. To address these questions we employ the full tool kit of evolutionary biology, ranging from the development of new theory, to empirical studies of selection, to developmental genetics. Our integrative approach provides a fertile ground for the intellectual development of undergraduates, graduate and post-doctoral trainees. In this environment, students learn a wide range of practical skills specific to evolutionary biology, and the more general skills of scientific analysis and communication.The current research proposal centres on four themes: 1) The role of sexual selection and conflict in trait diversification; 2) The ecological causes and consequences of variation in sexual dimorphism; 3) Selective history and the nature of genetic variance for fitness; and 4) Selective history, environment and the sex-biased transcriptome. This research will provide new insights into the evolution of sexual dimorphism, including the role of sexual selection and conflict in shaping sex differences, how ecological variation mediates evolutionary forces, and the opportunities and constraints afforded by ancient developmental genes and genetic linkages between the sexes.