DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution through the eyes of a fly: the genetic basis of interspecific variation in eye size and shape between two closely related species of Drosophila

植物和动物物种表现出令人难以置信的多样性。这种形态多样性很大程度上是由遗传变异产生的；然而，在大多数情况下，产生形态变异所需的特定遗传修改是未知的。全面理解多样性是如何产生的，需要确定基因序列的差异如何改变性状的形式和功能，以及自然选择如何作用于由此产生的变异。果蝇、毛果蝇和拟果蝇的眼睛在大小和形状上都有很大的不同。通过对这些密切相关物种的实验室和野外研究相结合，研究人员建议(1)确定导致眼睛大小和形状物种间差异的基因变化，(2)表征眼睛大小和形状变化的功能重要性，以及(3)研究作用于眼睛大小和形状的选择性作用力。这项研究将有助于理解复杂的形态特征是如何进化的，以及为什么这些特征在物种之间存在差异。此外，最近的发现表明，从对果蝇等模式生物的研究中得出的结论可以做出广泛的概括。因此，这项研究的发现有可能与理解其他动物物种和人类复杂特征的进化有关。该项目还将允许与英国的两个研究实验室建立合作；这一合作将允许开发新的研究技术，例如改编用于分析动物复杂特征的软件。最后，本科生将接受研究开发和实验室技术方面的培训，并将有机会进行独立研究。

Plant and animal species exhibit an incredible diversity of form. Much of this morphological diversity is generated by genetic variation; however, the specific genetic modifications required to produce morphological variation are unknown in most cases. A comprehensive understanding of how diversity is produced requires determination of how differences in gene sequence alter trait form and function, as well as how natural selection acts upon the resulting variation. The fruit flies Drosophila mauritiana and Drosophila simulans have eyes that differ dramatically in size and shape. Through a combination of laboratory and field studies of these closely related species, the researchers propose (1) to identify genetic changes responsible for interspecific variation in eye size and shape, (2) to characterize the functional importance of variation in eye size and shape, and (3) to study the selective forces acting upon eye size and shape. This study will improve understanding of how complex morphological traits evolve and why such traits differ between species. In addition, recent findings suggest that broad generalizations can be made from conclusions drawn from studies on model organisms such as Drosophila. Thus, findings from this study have the potential to be relevant for understanding the evolution of complex traits in other animal species and humans. This project will also allow the establishment of collaborations with two research labs in the UK; this association will allow the development of new research techniques such as the adaptation of software for analysis of complex traits in animals. Finally, an undergraduate student will be trained in research development and lab techniques and will have the opportunity to conduct independent research.