RUI: REVSYS: Integrative Systematics of Gekkotan Lizards - Phylogenetic Resolution, Taxonomic Revision, and Comparative Biology

壁虎是一种物种丰富、种类多样(1200+种，108属)的蜥蜴，分布于世界各地，进化历史悠久(约2亿年)。为了为进化和比较生物学问题提供一个框架，研究人员将使用900种壁虎的分子和形态数据来分析壁虎的系统发育关系，在现有的DNA序列数据库中增加300个物种，并为700个用于系统发育分析的形态特征评分。研究人员将根据已发现的关系研究视觉、生殖、运动生态形态和热生理学的进化。系统发育信息将与传统的博物馆研究结合使用，以准备对主要壁虎群体进行分类修订和专题处理，包括最成功和物种丰富的属。研究的实地和博物馆部分将为学生提供参与全球生物多样性保护优先区域的研究的机会，并将增加现有的生物多样性收藏和数据库。将积极招募来自代表性不足群体的学生参加该项目。这项研究将促进以本科生为主的机构和更大的研究机构之间的互动，有助于扩大学生在分子系统发生学和比较生物学方面的培训。

Geckos are a species-rich and diverse (1200+ species, 108 genera) group of lizards with a worldwide distribution and a long evolutionary history (~200 million years). In order to provide a framework for evolutionary and comparative biological questions, the researchers will analyze gecko phylogenetic relationships using molecular and morphological data for 900 species of geckos, adding 300 additional species to their existing DNA sequence dataset and scoring 700 morphological characters for use in phylogenetic analyses. The researchers will study the evolution of vision, reproduction, locomotor ecomorphology, and thermal physiology in light of the relationships uncovered. Phylogenetic information will be used in conjunction with traditional museum studies to prepare taxonomic revisions and monographic treatments of major groups of geckos including the most successful and species-rich genera. Field and museum components of the research will provide opportunities for students to participate in research in regions of global biodiversity conservation priority and will add to existing biodiversity collections and databases. Students from underrepresented groups will be actively recruited for the project. This study will promote interactions between primarily undergraduate institutions and larger research institutions, helping to broaden training in molecular phylogenetics and comparative biology for students.