Dissertation Research: Genetic Covariances in Thamnophis Populations

这项研究旨在确定是否 形态和行为之间的遗传相关性反映了 自然种群中的选择。 几个人群 西北袜带蛇Thamnophis ordinoides 研究了颜色模式和 反捕食行为 选择的实地研究将在 使用标记-再捕获和野外封闭技术进行， 确定颜色图案的特定组合和 行为具有相对的生存优势。 形态学和遗传学之间的相关性的存在， 行为意味着所讨论的特征经历了非- 独立进化 选择的经验证明 对于性状的组合将强调需要 多变量选择方法。 如果遗传相关性 形态和行为之间的关系反映了这种选择， 代表了第一个经验证据，表明选择作用于 保持自然种群中的遗传相关性。

The proposed research is designed to determine whether genetic correlations between morphology and behavior reflect the sorces of selection in natural populations. Several populations of the Northwest Garter Snake, Thamnophis ordinoides, will be examined for genetic correlations between color pattern and antipredator behavior. Field studies of selection will then be conducted using mark-recapture and field enclosure techniques to determine whether particular combinations of color pattern and behavior have relative survival advantages. The existence of genetic correlations between morphology and behavior means that the traits in question undergo non- independent evolution. An empirical demonstration of selection for a combination of traits will emphasize the need for multivariate approaches to selection. If genetic correlations between morphology and behavior reflect such selection, it will represent the first empirical evidence that selection acts to maintain genetic correlations in natural populations.