DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genetic causes of hybrid sterility

物种形成过程是地球生物多样性的主要来源。当两个种群不再有能力产生可生育或可存活的后代时，物种形成就会发生。杂交后代的不育性被认为是由于两个亲本物种的基因组之间的不亲和性造成的。这项建议研究了两种果蝇之间杂交不育的遗传结构。具体地说，这项拟议的研究将利用之前的遗传图谱研究结果来检查导致果蝇和拟黑果蝇杂交雄性不育的基因内部和基因之间的相互作用的性质。此外，它还将为另一对果蝇物种杂交不育的进化提供一个新的模式。自从达尔文在《物种起源》中首次提到这个问题以来，物种形成的机制在很大程度上仍然没有解决。这项研究将深入了解不同基因组之间的不一致如何导致杂交功能障碍；这种杂交不亲和性有助于产生新物种并保持独特的物种。面对人类活动导致的许多物种的灭绝，理解这些机制变得特别重要。

The process of species formation is the chief source of biodiversity on Earth. Species formation occurs when two populations are no longer capable of producing offspring that are fertile or viable. Sterility of hybrid offspring is thought to result from incompatibilities between the genomes of the two parent species. This proposal examines the genetic architecture of hybrid sterility between two species of fruit flies. Specifically, the proposed research will utilize results from a previous genetic mapping study to examine the nature of interactions within and between genes that confer hybrid male sterility between Drosophila persimilis and D. pseudoobscura bogotana. Furthermore, it will also address a novel model for the evolution of hybrid sterility in another fruit fly species pair. The mechanisms by which species formation occurs have remained largely unresolved since Darwin first alluded to the problem in On the Origin of Species. This research will provide insight on how incongruities between diverging genomes can lead to hybrid dysfunction; such hybrid incompatibilities serve to generate new species and maintain distinct species. Understanding these mechanisms has become especially pertinent in the face of the extinction of many species by human activity.