US-Gabon Planning Visit: Comparative Phylogeography of Central African Forest Duikers

[043467 .安东尼]该奖项支持一项计划中的访问，目的是与加蓬的科学家就中非小羚羊（小羚羊）的多样性模式开展国际合作。一个多世纪以来，生物学家一直在研究导致热带森林物种多样化的机制，这对热带保护具有重要意义。利用分子方法，有可能预测遗传变异的哪些特征可能是不同多样化情景的基础，并加以区分。特别是，生态梯度、热带森林“避难所”和河流屏障在促进物种形成中的作用一直备受争议。因此，本研究的目的是通过比较一组森林羚羊物种的遗传变异来测试不同的多样化假设。为了实现本研究所需的广泛地理抽样计划，该项目将利用现场收集的粪便作为DNA的来源。这样一个项目的成功实施在很大程度上取决于加蓬伙伴机构（CIRMF）科学家的参与和合作。通过拟议的合作，该项目将促进非洲和美国参与者之间的专业知识和知识交流。CIRMF还将成为中非协调采样和与其他合作者建立网络的重要基地。这项研究不仅将提供有关非洲热带地区生物多样性起源的重要信息，而且还将提供有关羚羊物种分布的可靠信息数据库。最重要的是，加强新奥尔良大学和CIRMF之间的相互合作将为美国和非洲科学家之间的双向培训、科学交流和技术转让提供机会。

0434672AnthonyThis award supports a planning visit to develop an international collaboration with scientists in Gabon on the patterns of diversity in Central African duikers (small antelopes). Understanding the mechanisms that may lead to species diversification in tropical forests has intrigued biologists for more than a century and has important implications for tropical conservation. Using molecular methods it is possible to predict what signatures of genetic variation might underlie different diversification scenarios and distinguish between them. In particular, the role of ecological gradients, tropical forest "refuges" and river barriers in promoting speciation have been hotly debated. The purpose of this study is therefore to test alternative diversification hypotheses by comparing genetic variation across a suite of forest antelope species. In order to achieve the broad geographical sampling scheme required for this study, this project will make use of field collections of dung as a source of DNA. The successful implementation of such a project depends heavily on the participation and cooperation of scientists at the partner institution in Gabon (CIRMF). Through the proposed collaboration, this project will stimulate exchange of expertise and knowledge between African and U.S. participants. CIRMF will also serve as an important base for coordinating sampling and networking with other collaborators within Central Africa. This study will not only provide important information on the origins of biological diversity in the Afro-tropics but will also provide a solid database of information on antelope species distributions. Most importantly, strengthening the mutual collaboration between the University of New Orleans and CIRMF will provide opportunities for two-way training, scientific exchange, and technology transfer between both U.S. and African scientists.