紫外颜色以及基于紫外颜色的雌性择偶喜好性的起源和进化

很多动物不仅能看到人类可以看到的可见光，也能看到人类看不到的紫外光。虽然大量研究表明动物的紫外颜色在动物性选择中起着重要的作用，特别是已证实雌性择偶喜好性是很多动物雄性紫外颜色进化的主要机制。但是，雄性紫外颜色以及基于紫外颜色的雌性择偶喜好性是如何起源，又是如何进化的？迄今为止，国内外未见相关研究报道。因此，本课题将采用跳蛛作为模式动物来探讨这个问题。项目共分三部分: (1) 揭示雄蛛紫外颜色的起源；(2) 探讨基于紫外颜色的雌性择偶喜好性的起源；(3) 研究基于紫外颜色的雌性择偶喜好性在跳蛛中的进化。本课题研究结果不仅能加深我们对基于紫外颜色的跳蛛择偶喜好性进化的理解，也能为基于紫外颜色的雌性择偶喜好性在其它动物中的起源和进化的相关研究提供科学依据。更重要的是，本研究还将进一步丰富和完善动物性选择的相关理论体系，对于动物行为的进化研究有着重要的理论意义。

Many animals have body parts that reflect ultraviolet (UV: < 400 nm) light. In species that exhibit sexual dimorphism, UV-reflecting ornaments are commonly involved in intraspecific interactions. Therefore, it is often suggested that the evolution of these traits might be the consequence of sexual selection. Over the past two decades, it has been well established that male UV ornamentation falls under direct selection through female preferences in many animal species, including birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, and spiders. However, how UV coloration and UV-based mate preferences evolve remains unknown. In this proposed three-part project, we will investigate the origin and evolution of the UV colouration and UV-based female mate preferences using jumping spiders as a model system. (1) We will test the origin of the UV colouration in jumping spiders; (2) we will examine when the UV-based female mate preferences occurred at first place in jumping spiders; and (3) We will determine exactly what females gain from their UV-based mate preferences; that is, we will investigate how the UV-based female mate preferences have evolved in jumping spiders. The results from this study will not only enhance our understanding of the evolution of UV-based female mate preferences in jumping spiders but also shed lights on the studies of UV-based female mate preferences in other animals that reflect UV light. Particularly, this study will make great contributions to the field of sexual selection.