Life-History Evolution of the Pitcher-Plant Mosquito: Genetic Constraints and Genetic Differentiation of Population

这项为期一年的研究计划旨在回答 三个问题使用猪笼草蚊子， 史密斯。 1)平均生长率（成年时的大小） + 达到成年的天数）预测 适应性（RC=增加能力）？ 2)增长率及其 在成年期遗传特征的时间大小的基础; 这些特征是独立的还是相互依赖的（遗传上 相关）？ 3)附近和附近的适应性差异 远距离种群可以用基因独立作用来解释 （加性）或基因内的相互作用（显性）和/或 基因间（上位性）遗传的重要组成部分 人口分化？ 蚊子传播疾病的能力 （它们的矢量能力）取决于它们成年后的大小， 长寿，应该从生长速度预测的特征 及其组成部分。 前两个问题的答案将 可用于灭蚊。 如果像他们所怀疑的那样，基因相互作用在 种群分化，孤立的种群可能是窝藏 比目前所认识到的更大的遗传变异。 答案 第三个问题将影响到稀有或 濒危物种只作为分散的种群存在。

The research planned for this 1 year grant seeks to answer three questions using the pitcher-plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii. 1) How does the average growth rate (size at adulthood + days to reach adulthood) of individuals in a population predict fitness (rc= capacity for increase)? 2) Are growth rate and its underpinnings of size at the time to adulthood heritable traits; are these traits independent or interdependent (genetically correlated)? 3) Can variation in fitness between nearby and distant populations be explained by genes acting independently (additively) or is interaction within genes (dominance) and/or between genes (epistasis) an important component of genetic differentiation of populations? The ability of mosquito populations to transmit disease (their vectorial capacity) depends upon their adult size and longevity, traits which should be predictable from growth rate and its components. Answers to the first two questions will then have application for mosquito control. If, as they suspect, gene interactions are important in population differentiation, isolated populations may be harboring greater genetic variation than is presently appreciated. Answers to the third question will then bear on the recovery of rare or endangered species that persist only as fragmented populations.