Collaborative Research: Evolution in a Vortex: An Inventory of the Fishes and Mollusks of the Lower Congo River Rapids

美国自然历史博物馆的Melanie Stiassny博士和Robert Schelly博士与自然科学院的丹尼尔格拉夫博士合作，获得了一笔赠款，用于研究非洲中西部刚果河下游水生生物的多样性，特别是鱼类和淡水贻贝。刚果河下游壮观而鲜为人知的地理位置及其所蕴藏的丰富生物，加上该地区面临的日益严重的威胁，使其成为非洲科学探索和库存的一个引人注目的焦点。在研究区域，下刚果河被地球上一些最壮观的急流打断，河流的非凡水文是探索水生物种丰富性和特有性的潜在模式的模型系统。本研究收集了大量的标本和组织，将有可能首次利用分子技术结合遥感技术的最新发展来解决有关刚果下游急流水生生物进化历史和生态相互作用的一些紧迫问题，并为保护规划和全球淡水生物多样性评估提供重要的生物多样性数据。 对于生活在刚果下游沿着的数百万刚果人来说，这些淡水系统的健康以及生活在其中的各种生物群落的健康至关重要。日益增加的城市化和农业活动导致了严重的栖息地破坏，但这些因素对该地区的淡水鱼类的影响以前没有研究或记录。除了基本的调查和清点，美国自然历史博物馆和自然科学院之间合作的一个核心组成部分是教育宣传和学生培训;不仅是美国学生和公众，而且是刚果研究人员和学生。该项目代表了美国和刚果科学家之间的协同合作，有可能在刚果建立持久的基础设施和能力支持，并为美国学生提供非洲生物多样性培训机会。该奖项由国际科学与工程办公室共同资助。

A grant has been award to Dr. Melanie Stiassny and Robert Schelly of the American Museum of Natural History in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Graf of the Academy of Natural Sciences to study the diversity of aquatic organisms, particularly the fishes and freshwater mussels, of the Lower Congo River in west-Central Africa. The spectacular and poorly known location of the Lower Congo River and the biological richness it harbors, combined with the growing threats to the region make this a compelling focus for scientific exploration and inventory in Africa. In the study region the Lower Congo River is punctuated by some of the most spectacular rapids on Earth and the extraordinary hydrology of the river represents a model system for exploring underlying patterns of aquatic species richness and endemism. With large collections of specimens and tissues gathered in this study it will be possible for the first time to use molecular techniques combined with the latest developments in remote sensing technology to address some of the pressing questions concerning the evolutionary history and ecological interactions of aquatic organisms in the Lower Congo rapids as well as providing critical biodiversity data for conservation planning and global freshwater biodiversity assessments. For millions of Congolese living along the Lower Congo the health of these freshwater systems, and of the diverse communities of organisms that reside in them are of major importance. Increasing urbanization and agricultural activities have resulted in significant habitat destruction, yet the impacts of these factors on the region's freshwater fishes has not previously been studied or documented. In addition to basic survey and inventory a central component of the collaboration between the American Museum of Natural History and Academy of Natural Sciences is educational outreach and student training; not only of American students and public, but also of Congolese researchers and students. The project represents a synergistic collaboration between US and Congolese scientists with potential to build lasting infrastructure and capacity support in Congo, and advancing training opportunities for US students in African biodiversity.This award is cofunded by the Office of International Science and Engineering.