Evolutionary Biogeography in the Lowland Reptile and Amphibian Fauna from New Guinea

什么力量导致生物多样性随时间增加或减少？为什么地球上的一些地区比其他地区拥有更多的物种？这些是环境生物学中最重要的一些问题。这个项目将研究负责新几内亚岛上生物多样性生产和维持的基本过程，新几内亚岛是地球上最多样化的地区之一。该研究将从几种具有不同生态和生活史模式的两栖动物和爬行动物物种中取样DNA。分子遗传技术将被用来检验关于过去气候变化和地质过程如何塑造生物多样性的假设。这项研究的广泛意义在于，它整合了国内和国际两级的研究和教育，协同推进科学知识，与七家国内和国际博物馆和大学建立伙伴关系，促进保护，并为广大人民提供科学和教育机会。这项研究利用了最近两次综合保护优先级设置研讨会的结果，以及创新的数字制图和建模方法，为保护规划提供了比目前可用的更强大的科学基础。这项研究将有助于确保保护工作同时保护遗传和物种多样性。教育将提供当地的科学能力建设，并有助于促进环太平洋地区更好的国际关系。

What forces cause biodiversity to increase or decrease over time? Why do some regions of the planet have greater numbers of species than others? These are some of the most important questions in environmental biology. This project will study the underlying processes responsible for both the production and maintenance of biodiversity on the island of New Guinea, one of the most diverse regions of the planet. The research will sample DNA from several amphibian and reptile species with diverse ecological and life-history patterns. Molecular genetic techniques will be used to test hypotheses about how past changes in climate and geological processes shape biological diversification.The broad significance of this research is that it integrates research and education at both the national and international levels, acts synergistically to advance scientific knowledge, creates partnerships with seven national and international museums and universities, promotes conservation, and enhances scientific and educational opportunities for a broad spectrum of people. The research uses the results of two recent comprehensive conservation priority-setting workshops and innovative digital mapping and modeling methods to provide a much stronger scientific foundation for conservation planning than is currently available. This research will help to ensure that conservation efforts preserve both genetic and species diversity. Education will provide local scientific capacity-building and help foster better international relations in the Pacific Rim.