Dissertation Research: Environment-dependence of Selection and Heritability in Impatiens pallida

所表达和可供选择采取行动的变异性的大小可能取决于环境。这项研究将使用一种常见的一年生植物Pals珠藻(&gt；凤仙花&gt；&gt；pallida&gt；)来测试环境对遗传变异表达和自然选择强度的影响。来自山坡和洪泛平原环境的珠藻种群将相互移植，从而能够量化环境对选择和遗传变异性的影响。暴露在“外星”(Vis.a.vis，“家”)环境中的种群可能表现出更大的遗传变异性和更大的选择，从而允许更快的进化。另一方面，如果种群不能适应新的环境，它们更有可能灭绝。现在，由于物种正面临全球和区域一级的快速环境变化，能够预测种群的进化反应尤为关键。

The amount of variability which is expressed and available for selection to act upon may depend on the environment. This study will use a common annual plant, pals jewelweed (>Impatiens> >pallida>), to test the effect of the environment on the expression of genetic variance and the intensity of natural selection. Populations of jewelweed from hillside and floodplain environments will be reciprocally transplanted, allowing quantification of effect of the environment on selection and genetic variability. Populations exposed to 'alien' (vis.a.vis, 'home') environments may express larger amount of genetic variability as well as greater selection, thus allowing more rapid evolution. On the other hand, if populations are unable to adapt to a new environment, they are more likely to become extinct. Being able to predict the evolutionary response of populations is particularly crucial now as species are facing rapid environmental changes at the global and regional level.