Collaborative Research: Systematics and evolution of fossil and living delphinidans (dolphins, porpoises, and kin)

在这个项目中，主要研究人员将整合来自活的和化石物种的DNA序列和解剖数据，以研究海豚类的进化，海豚类包括海洋海豚，大多数河流海豚，鼠海豚，白鲸和独角鲸。研究目标是解决现存和灭绝物种之间的进化关系，估计海豚多样化发生的时间，确定行为是否影响了海豚大脑的进化，并解开缺乏嗅觉的水生动物嗅觉受体基因的进化。DNA测序将在一个最先进的实验室进行，解剖数据将从世界各地的博物馆收集，计算机将被用来分析收集到的大量数据。这项工作将有助于保护这些联邦保护物种，稳定他们的分类，以及通过提供遗传工具来监测受威胁的种群。海豚大脑进化的研究将是比较灵长类动物大脑进化的一个案例。这项研究将吸引本科生从事科学研究。研究结果将在一个网站上公布，该网站教育公众了解海豚和鼠海豚化石和DNA进化的显着证据。

In this project, principal investigators will integrate DNA sequences and anatomical data from living and fossil species to study the evolution of Delphinida, the group that includes oceanic dolphins, most river dolphins, porpoises, belugas, and narwhals. Research objectives are to resolve evolutionary relationships among living and extinct species, estimate when the diversification of dolphins occurred, determine if behavior influenced the evolution of large brains in dolphins, and unravel the evolution of olfactory receptor genes in aquatic animals that lack the sense of smell. DNA will be sequenced in a state-of-the-art lab, anatomical data will be collected from museums worldwide, and computers will be used to analyze the large body of data collected.This work will aid in the conservation of these federally protected species by stabilizing their classification, as well as by providing genetic tools to monitor threatened populations. Work on the evolution of brains in dolphins will be a case study with which to compare the evolution of large brains in primates. This study will engage undergraduate students in scientific research. Results will be disseminated on a website that educates the public about the remarkable evidence for evolution from fossils and the DNA of dolphins and porpoises.