Hybridization and its Evolutionary Consequences

了解新物种是如何产生的，以及物种之间的屏障是如何维持的，对于确定生物多样性是如何起源和成功地持续存在至关重要。决定是否出现新物种或是否维持物种壁垒的关键因素是两个物种之间杂交的表现。如果杂交种表现不佳，物种障碍将被维持，而如果杂交种在其环境中表现良好，物种障碍将被打破。这项拟议的研究将评估哪些因素对杂交有贡献，并评估排除杂交的行为可能会如何发生。这项工作将把野外实验与实验室和基因研究结合起来，以实现这一目标。评估杂交是否以及如何有害不仅对于了解生物多样性的起源至关重要，而且对于如何保护生物多样性也至关重要。此外，通过评估杂交性能的性质，这项研究将有助于我们利用杂交来控制害虫物种，并防止入侵(或基因工程)物种与寄生物种之间的杂交。该项目还将通过为历史上少数族裔大学的学生提供研究机会，增加基础生物学研究中代表性不足的群体的代表性。

Understanding how new species arise and how barriers between species are maintained is critical for determining how biodiversity originates and successfully persists. The key factor that determines if new species arise or whether species barriers are maintained is the performance of hybrids between two species. If hybrids perform poorly, species barriers will be maintained, whereas if hybrids do well in their environment species barriers will break down. The proposed research will evaluate what factors contribute to hybridization and assess how behaviors that preclude hybridization may arise. The work will combine experiments in the wild with laboratory and genetic studies to address this goal.Assessing whether and how hybridization is detrimental is critical for understanding not only the origins of biodiversity but also how to preserve it. Moreover, by evaluating the nature of hybrid performance, this research will contribute to our ability to use hybridization to control pest species and prevent hybridization between invasive (or genetically engineered) species and resident species. This project will also increase representation of underrepresented groups in basic biology research by providing access to research opportunities for students from historically minority universities.