Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of range limits in the scarlet monkeyflower

虽然有些物种遍布各大洲，而另一些物种只在少数几个地方发现，但地球上的每一个物种都有一个受范围边界限制的地理分布。对于大多数物种来说，产生范围边界的生态和进化因素仍然知之甚少，但它们与理解对气候变化的潜在生物反应直接相关。据推测，范围边界是由生境适宜性、散布和基因流动（个体及其基因在种群之间的移动）以及人口学（个体表现和种群增长方面）的空间变化共同作用确定的。根据这些因素的相对平衡，范围边缘可能代表物种未能适应特定气候条件的稳定地区，或者它们可能代表在不断变化的气候制度下范围转移的前沿地区。在本研究中，我们将利用野外调查、种群建模和种群遗传分析来调查北美西部猩红猴花（Mimulus cardinalis）地理分布范围的限制因素。目的是了解生境适宜性、基因流动和人口统计的空间变化如何产生稳定或短暂的范围边界。与约塞米蒂国家公园的现有伙伴关系将用于加强对这项研究结果的公众传播。一名教育护林员将介绍气候变化对国家公园生物影响的信息。本项目将培养博士后1名、女博士生1名、少数民族本科生1名。本科生将参加科罗拉多州立大学的暑期项目，通过独立项目和专业发展研讨会提高本科生的研究经验。

Although some species range widely across continents while others are found in only a handful of locations, every species on earth has a geographic distribution that is circumscribed by range boundaries. The ecological and evolutionary factors that give rise to range boundaries remain poorly understood for most species, yet they are of direct relevance for understanding potential biological responses to climate change. Range boundaries are hypothesized to be set by the combined action of spatial variation in habitat suitability, dispersal and gene flow (the movement of individuals and their genes between populations), and demography (aspects of individual performance and population growth). Depending on the relative balance of these factors, range margins may represent stable areas where species have failed to adapt to particular climatic conditions, or they may represent areas that are the forefront of range shifts under changing climatic regimes. In this study, factors that limit the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis) in western North America will be investigated using field surveys, population modeling, and population genetic assays. The goal is to understand how spatial variation in habitat suitability, gene flow and demography give rise to stable or transient range boundaries. An existing partnership with Yosemite National Park will be used to enhance public dissemination of results of this research. An education ranger will present information on the biological effects of climate change in national parks. A postdoctoral researcher, a female doctoral student, and a minority undergraduate will be trained as part of this project. Undergraduates will participate in a summer program at Colorado State University that enhances the undergraduate research experience through independent projects and professional development seminars.