DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Molecular Evolution of Reproductive Genes in Australian Fairy Wrens (Maluridae)

生活在温带地区的鸟类对研究生殖基因的分子进化很有价值，因为繁殖发生在短暂的繁殖季节。与生殖有关的基因可能主要在一年中的这个时候活跃。这些基因可能是为了应对自然选择而进化的，并可能通过影响受精障碍而在新物种的形成中发挥作用。只有少数生殖基因得到了研究，而且大部分工作都是在少数模式生物中进行的。澳大利亚鸟类科Maluridae（澳大利亚弗伦斯）的成员有极高的精子产量，这表明对繁殖的遗传影响不寻常。本研究的第一个目标是鉴定在睾丸中表达的新的生殖基因。然后，这些基因的进化机制将被检查，并将其多样化的Maluridae内的控制基因，没有暴露于自然选择进行比较。最后一项研究是对一个物种的地理变异的研究，这将使我们更好地理解生殖基因选择的潜在来源。这一项目包括与若干澳大利亚组织的合作，这将促进澳大利亚和美国之间的学术知识和科学技术交流，并将成为将最新遗传方法应用于非模式生物的一个范例。当地土地所有者将接受有关该项目的教育。此外，用于本研究的样本将作为博物馆凭证标本提供，作为其他科学家和公众的资源。

Birds living in temperate regions are valuable for studying the molecular evolution of reproductive genes because reproduction takes place during a brief breeding season. Genes involved with reproduction could be active primarily during this time of year. Such genes may have evolved in response to natural selection, and could have a role in the formation of new species through influences on barriers to fertilization. Only a few reproductive genes have been studied, and most of the work has been in a few model organisms. Members of the Australian bird family Maluridae (Australian wrens), have an extremely high level of sperm production, suggesting an unusual genetic influence on reproduction. The first goal of this study is to identify novel reproductive genes that are expressed in the testes. Then the mechanisms of evolution of these genes will be examined and their diversification within the Maluridae will be compared with control genes that have not been exposed to natural selection. A final study, of geographic variation for one species, will give a better understanding of the underlying source of selection on reproductive genes. This project includes collaboration with a several Australian organizations, which will foster the exchange of academic knowledge and scientific technology between Australia and the United States, and it will serve as an example of applying the most recent genetic methods to non-model organisms. Local landowners will be educated about the project. In addition, samples used for this study will be provided as museum voucher specimens to serve as resources to other scientists as well as the general public.