CAREER: Selection and the Evolution of Male Gamete Heteromorphism

本研究探讨了不受精精子产生的进化意义。在许多生物体中（包括果蝇和人类），雄性产生许多不能受精的精子。这些不受精的精子对成功繁殖的影响尚不清楚。将在一种常见的果蝇——伪果蝇身上进行两种类型的实验：1)用减少和增加与多个伴侣交配的机会来取代其现有的交配系统，并随后测量这种改变对不育精子产生的影响；2)比较兄弟物种的生活史和交配系统，其中一些产生不育精子。这项工作的教学部分侧重于科学方法和科学的本质，并提高对进化过程的理解。主要针对中学教师的两个组成部分提供了这一重点：1)面向内华达州科学内容标准的中学教师的科学性质和进化的职前和在职讲习班；2)面向在职教师的暑期研究经验。这项研究旨在研究生殖的基本过程，主要是影响不育精子产生的进化因素。为此，本项目将阐明动物类群中一个令人烦恼而又常见的现象；不受精：故意产生不受精的精子教学部分将有助于理解科学的本质，并纳入进化过程的知识，如抗生素耐药性，这对个人在影响其个人生活、社会和环境的问题上做出决定至关重要。

This study addresses the evolutionary significance of the production of nonfertilizing sperm. In in many organisms (including fruitflies and humans) males produce many fertilization-incompetent sperm. The effect of these nonfertilizing sperm on successful reproduction is unknown. Two types of experiments will be performed in a common fruitfly, Drosophila pseudoobscura: 1) replacing its existing mating system with decreased and increased opportunities for mating with multiple partners and subsequently measuring the affect this alteration has on the production of sterile sperm, and 2) a comparison of sibling species, some of which produce sterile sperm, of life history and mating system. The teaching component of this work focuses on the scientific method and the nature of science, and improving the understanding of evolutionary processes. Two components, primarily focused on middle and secondary school teachers, provide this emphasis: 1) pre- and in-service workshops on the nature of science and evolution for middle and secondary school teachers geared to Nevada Science Content Standards, and 2) summer research experience for in-service teachers.The research proposed examines fundamental processes of reproduction, primarily evolutionary factors affecting the production of sterile sperm. To that end, this project will elucidate a vexing and common occurrence in animal taxa; the deliberate production of nonfertilizing sperm. The teaching component will contribute to the understanding the nature of science and incorporating knowledge of evolutionary processes, such as antibiotic resistance, that will be critical for individuals to make decisions about issues affecting their personal lives, society and the environment.