Evolution of sensory systems in the dark biosphere

该项目利用基于多种独立进化的地下甲虫的独特的澳大利亚模型系统来探索当表层物种在地下栖息地定居时发生的基因组的适应性和倒退变化。我们的目标是描述和研究化学感觉和昼夜节律基因的进化，这些基因在动物的健康中发挥着关键作用，包括在黑暗、热稳定的环境中寻找食物和配偶的能力。对化学感觉和昼夜节律遗传系统及其如何动态进化的知识对于各种领域，包括物种形成和生物适应过程(例如，对永久黑暗、污染物和杀虫剂)是基本的。

This project utilises a unique Australian model system based on multiple, independently-evolved subterranean water beetles to explore the adaptive and regressive changes in the genome that occur when surface species colonise subterranean habitats. We aim to characterise and investigate the evolution of chemosensory and circadian rhythm genes, which play critical roles in the fitness of animals, including the ability to find food and mates in a dark, thermally stable environment. Knowledge of chemosensory and circadian genetic systems and how they dynamically evolve is fundamental to a variety of fields, including the process of speciation and biological adaptation (for example, to permanent darkness, pollutants and insecticides).