CAREER: Adaptive Basis of Host-Parasite Cospeciation

9703003犹他大学的克莱顿·戴尔·克莱顿将进行一项研究，旨在阐明导致寄生虫对一种或多种宿主的特异性差异的因素。具体地说，克莱顿将首先重建一组新大陆鸽子和两组体外寄生羽虱的分子谱系。其中一组虱子是在翅膀上发现的，并不是寄主物种所特有的。而另一组在腹部被发现，是宿主特有的。系谱分析将允许识别虱子从一个宿主转移到另一个宿主的情况，并提供涉及宿主-寄生虫关联的宏观进化事件的线索。微进化事件将通过在“鸽子穹顶”(德克萨斯州盐湖城的Tracy Aviary)中的一系列实验来评估，在那里克莱顿将能够进行受控实验，以检查诸如(I)虱子传播能力，(Ii)对宿主防御的差异性虱子脆弱性，以及(Iii)种间竞争的不同强度。该项目将被纳入PI讲授的课件中，并已与Tracy Aviary建立了研究和教育合作关系。将展示解释标志，并将建立公共计算机显示器来解释正在进行的研究。研究生和本科生都将广泛参与该项目。

9703003 Clayton Dale Clayton of the University of Utah will carry out research designed to elucidate factors responsible for differences in the specificity of parasites to one or more kinds of hosts. Specifically, Clayton will first reconstruct molecular genealogies of a group of New World doves and of two groups of ectoparasitic feather lice. One of the louse groups is found on wings and is not specific as to host species. Whereas the other group is found on the abdomen and is host-specific. The genealogical analysis will permit identification of instances where lice have switched from one host to another and provide clues to macroevolutionary events involved in host-parasite association. Microevolutionary events will be assessed via a series of experiments in a "dove-dome" (Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, UT) where Clayton will be able to carry out controlled experiments to examine factors such as (i) lice dispersal capability, (ii) differential lice vulnerability to host defenses, and (iii) different intensities of interspecific competition. The project will be incorporated into courseware taught by the PI, and collaboration has been established with Tracy Aviary for research and education. Interpretive signs will be displayed and a public computer display will be established to explain the research in progress. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be involved extensively in the project.