Dissertation Research: Evoultionary Genetics of Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) Using Nuclear Autosomal Haplotypes

该项目的目的是确定大猩猩（大猩猩）遗传多样性的数量和模式，通过确定三个独立的核位点的DNA序列变异，在所有三个大猩猩亚种的代表，以及黑猩猩，人类和猩猩的可比样本。这些数据将被置于生物地理学的角度，用于确定大猩猩进化史的各个方面，包括亚种之间的系统发育关系，亚种之间分裂的时间，以及过去的人口统计事件，如严重的人口瓶颈。将特别强调大猩猩的分类学，特别是利用遗传数据来帮助确定现存大猩猩物种的数量。通过比较观察到的大猩猩与黑猩猩和人类的遗传多样性模式，该项目还将提供一个比较框架，将大量不断增长的人类遗传进化数据放在其中，从而有助于理解我们自己物种的进化。此外，了解大猩猩的遗传亚结构可能有助于为这些高度濒危的类人猿制定保护计划。

The objective of this project is to determine the amount and pattern of genetic diversity in the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), by determining the DNA sequence variation at three independent nuclear loci in representatives from all three gorilla subspecies, as well as from comparable samples of chimpanzees, humans, and orangutans. These data will placed in a biogeographical perspective to be used to determine aspects of the evolutionary history of the gorilla, including the phylogenetic relationships between subspecies, the timing of the splits between subspecies, and past demographic events such as severe population bottlenecks. Special emphasis will be placed on the taxonomy of gorillas, particularly on the use of genetic data to help determine the number of living gorilla species. By comparing the pattern of genetic diversity observed in gorillas to that of chimps and humans, this project will also help in understanding the evolution of our own species, by providing a comparative framework in which to place the large and growing body of data on human genetic evolution. In addition, understanding the genetic substructure of gorillas may help in developing conservation programs for these highly endangered apes.