High-elevation adaptation of amphibians and reptiles and its genetic basis

两栖爬行动物的高海拔适应及其遗传基础

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04482
• 负责人: Fu, Jinzhong
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=757625
• 关键词: elevation; adaptation; amphibians; reptiles; its

My research aims to understand the process of adaptation in natural populations using the elevational gradient as a study system. For the next five years, my specific objectives include detecting genetic and phenotypic variations of a common toad (Bufo gargarizans) along elevational gradients, establishing associations between them, and understanding how these variations may have contributed to the adaptation process. My primary approach will be population-level comparative analysis. Bufo gargarizans is a common toad in Tibet with a large elevational distribution range (0-3800 m). We have located three sampling transects. Each transect has a minimum elevational difference of 2000 m and a maximum straight line distance of 50 km. Recently, we have successfully sequenced its genome. I will conduct a population genomic analysis, identify putative adaptive variants, and address fundamental questions of genetic adaptation. Using genome re-sequencing, we will gather genome data along these transects. The elevational gradient design will facilitate the identification of putative adaptive variants. These variants will then be subject to functional analysis and association studies to phenotypic variations. Furthermore, we will assess whether certain classes of variants are particularly important in adaptive evolution (e.g. particular pathways, regulatory mutations), and test for evidence of co-evolution or constraints among genes. I will detect phenotypic variations, including morphological, behavioural, physiological and life history traits, along these transects. Currently, we are focusing on morphology of the brain, sensory organs, and locomotion related traits, as well as behavioural and physiological traits that may interact with life history traits (the pace-of-life syndrome). Ultimately, we will establish association between genetic variations and phenotypic variations. I will also apply between-species comparative analysis to explore convergence and parallelism between high-elevation amphibians and other vertebrates (e.g. Phrynocephalus lizards, deer mice, human). This will allow us to put our research findings into a larger context and to generate widely applicable hypotheses. Our integrative analysis of variations at multiple hierarchical levels will yield insights into causes and consequences of adaptive genetic changes and the genetic architecture underlying complex phenotypic traits.

我的研究旨在了解自然种群的适应过程，使用海拔梯度作为一个研究系统。在接下来的五年里，我的具体目标包括检测一个普通蟾蜍（蟾蜍gargarizans）沿沿着海拔梯度的遗传和表型变化，建立它们之间的关联，并了解这些变化可能有助于适应过程。我的主要方法将是人口层面的比较分析。中华大蟾蜍（Bufo gargarizans）是西藏常见的蟾蜍，海拔分布范围很广（0-3800 m）。我们已经确定了三个样带。每个样带的最小高差为2000 m，最大直线距离为50 km。最近，我们成功地对其基因组进行了测序。 我将进行人口基因组分析，确定假定的适应性变异，并解决遗传适应的基本问题。利用基因组重测序，我们将收集基因组数据沿沿着这些横断面。海拔梯度设计将有助于识别假定的适应性变体。然后对这些变体进行功能分析和与表型变异的关联研究。此外，我们将评估某些类别的变异是否在适应性进化中特别重要（例如特定途径，调控突变），并测试基因之间的共同进化或约束的证据。我将检测表型变异，包括形态，行为，生理和生活史特征，沿着沿着这些横断面。目前，我们专注于大脑，感觉器官和运动相关性状的形态，以及可能与生活史性状（生活节奏综合征）相互作用的行为和生理特征。最终，我们将建立遗传变异和表型变异之间的关联。 我还将应用种间比较分析，探讨高海拔两栖动物和其他脊椎动物（例如沙蜥，鹿鼠，人类）之间的趋同性和平行性。这将使我们能够把我们的研究结果放在一个更大的背景下，并产生广泛适用的假设。我们在多个层次的变异的综合分析将产生的原因和适应性遗传变化的后果和复杂的表型性状的遗传结构的见解。