PRF/J: The Developmental Basis of Male Dimorphism in the Dung Beetle Onthophagus Acuminatus

小行星9403323 在自然种群中的雄蜣螂Onthophagus acuminatus（鞘翅目：金龟子科）以两种离散的形式出现：那些大于“临界”尺寸的有一对大的前角，一个深锯齿状的前胸，和宽的头，有一个上翘的前唇，而小于“临界”尺寸的雄蜣螂没有角，有一个光滑的前胸，和一个狭窄的头，没有前唇。 这种形态的二型性在男性的发展基础将通过研究幼虫的激素和生长过程的基础角的表达和其他发育相关的特征与角形态。 研究将揭示（近似）发育机制对（最终）表型进化方向的影响。 这项研究的条件或环境敏感的发育形态学的表达设置的阶段，更好地理解微观进化变化和宏观进化之间的关系。 这些知识使我们更加了解地球的生物多样性及其形成的原因。 一般来说，昆虫发育模式的研究具有指导安全而有效的生物防治策略的潜力。 ***

9403323 Emlen Males in natural populations of the dung beetle Onthophagus acuminatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) occur in two discrete forms: those larger than a "critical" size have a pair of large frontal horns, a deeply indented prothorax, and wide heads with an upturned frontal lip while males smaller than the "critical" size lack horns, have a smooth prothorax, and a narrower head without frontal lip. The developmental basis of this morphological dimorphism in males will be investigated by examining larval hormonal and growth processes that underlie horn expression and other developmentally linked traits correlated with horn morphology. %%% Effects of (proximate) developmental mechanisms on directions of (ultimate) phenotypic evolution will be revealed by the research. This study of condition- or environment-sensitive expression of developmental morphology sets the stage for greater understanding of the relationship between microevolutionary change and macroevolution. Such knowledge enhances our appreciation of the Earth's biodiversity and how it came into existence. Generally, studies of insect developmental patterns have potential for guiding safe but effective biological control strategies. ***