NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2010

这一行动为2010财年NSF少数民族博士后研究奖学金提供了资金。该奖学金支持在东道主实验室为该研究员制定的研究和培训计划，该研究员还提出了扩大生物学参与度的计划。布兰迪·科伊纳的这项研究和培训计划的标题是“新毛虫物种复合体的景观遗传学：作为杂交的预隔离机制的景观变量的评估。”这项研究的主办机构是内华达大学雷诺分校，赞助科学家是Marjorie Matocq博士，杂交发生的地理区域长期以来一直吸引着生态和进化科学领域的生物学家，并提供了研究物种形成的独特机会。河流和山脉等物理障碍，与交配季节和配偶选择有关的行为差异，以及杂交个体适应性和存活率的降低，都是阻止杂交和导致物种形成的机制。因此，景观特征有可能对杂交模式做出贡献和解释。已经提出了四个模型来解释稳定的杂交区的维持，每个模型都预测了杂交种和纯种的适应度以及纯种和杂交个体在整个景观中的分布差异。景观遗传学利用地理信息系统(GIS)和空间统计的力量来测试基于环境的混合模型。这项研究使用景观遗传学的方法来评估景观变异作为阻止或鼓励杂交的潜在机制。此外，本研究建议评估四种模型，以解释在黄脚木(Neotoma Fuscipes)和大耳树(Neotoma Mactis)杂交区域出现稳定杂交带的情况。本研究的培训目标包括扩展现有技术和学习新的实验室和分析技能。这项研究的更广泛影响包括指导本科生和研究生。此外，外展还包括通过发起科学家的分子在路上(MOR)计划将研究带入高中课堂。该计划向少数民族高中生传授先进的实验室和分析技术，以帮助那些在理科方面代表性不足的学生攻读科学学位。

This action funds an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for FY 2010. The fellowship supports a research and training plan in a host laboratory for the Fellow who also presents a plan to broaden participation in biology. The title of the research and training plan for this fellowship to Brandi Coyner is "Landscape genetics of the Neotoma fuscipes species complex: evaluation of landscape variables as pre-isolating mechanisms of hybridization." The host institution for this research is the University of Nevada, Reno and the sponsoring scientist is Dr. Marjorie MatocqGeographic areas where hybridization occurs have long fascinated biologists in the ecological and evolutionary sciences and offer unique opportunities to study speciation. Physical barriers such as rivers and mountain ranges, behavioral differences related to mating season and mate choice, and reduced fitness and survival of hybrid individuals are mechanisms that can prevent hybridization and lead to speciation. Therefore, landscape characteristics have the potential to contribute to and explain patterns of hybridization. Four models have been proposed to explain the maintenance of stable hybrid zones, and each model predicts differences in hybrid versus purebred fitness and the distribution of pure and hybrid individuals across the landscape. Landscape genetics utilizes the power of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to test environmentally-based hybrid models. This study uses a landscape genetics approach to evaluate landscape variation as a potential mechanism preventing or encouraging hybridization. Additionally, this study proposes to evaluate the four models explaining the occurrence of stable hybrid zones in the area where dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) and big-eared woodrats (Neotoma macrotis) hybridize.Training objectives of this research include expanding current and learning new laboratory and analysis skills. Broader impacts of this research include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, outreach includes taking the research into high school classrooms through the sponsoring scientist's Molecules On The Road (MOR) program. This program teaches advanced laboratory and analysis techniques to minority, at-risk high school students to equip those students underrepresented in science to pursue scientific degrees.