Dissertation Research: Geographical Variation in Developmental Genetic Control of Polyphenism

动物可以在外观或行为上发生变化，以应对环境的变化，这就是所谓的多型性。多态现象经常发生，并允许动物以不同的方式使用现有的基因以更好地适应环境，但在遗传水平上对此知之甚少。七叶树蝴蝶的翅膀颜色有季节性的变化，也就是说，种群中不同的世代有不同的颜色。 七叶树非常适合实验室生活，但在地理上也很广泛，并表现出巨大的颜色变化。 翅膀颜色的变化被认为可以增强季节性变化的树叶的伪装;但是七叶树物种在季节性很强的温带森林，干旱的地中海栖息地和相对季节性的热带栖息地都有发现。七叶树物种在不同的气候条件下，其多型性是如何变化的，从而增加了它们在环境中的生存率，目前还不清楚。研究问题是：（1）不同地区的色型之间翅色素存在什么样的地理差异？(2)什么样的温度和日照阈值会触发不同地区的不同颜色变体？（3）哪些基因表达变化与不同的翅色有关？化学分析，控制环境操作，和现代遗传学方法将被用来提供一个综合的图片的分子和环境调节的颜色。 这些结果将有助于更好地了解基因调控如何影响动物的外观。通过该项目，本科生将得到指导，并通过出版物和会议演示传播新的成果和方法。 PI还将对K-12教师和学生进行宣传。

Animals can vary in appearance or behavior between generations in response to environmental changes; this is called polyphenism. Polyphenism occurs frequently and allows animals to use existing genes in different ways to be better adapted to their environments, but very little is known about it at the genetic level. Buckeye butterflies show seasonal wing color changes; that is, different generations within a population have different colors. Buckeyes are well suited to laboratory life but also geographically widespread and exhibit tremendous color variation. Wing color changes are thought to enhance camouflage in seasonally changing foliage; but buckeye species are found in highly seasonal temperate forests, arid Mediterranean habitats, and relatively aseasonal tropical habitats. How polyphenism may vary between buckeye species in different climates to allow increased survival in their environments is unclear. The research questions are: (1) What geographical variation exists for wing pigments between color morphs from different regions? (2) What temperature and day-length thresholds trigger the different color morphs in different regions? and (3) What gene expression changes are associated with the different wing colors? Chemical analyses, controlled environment manipulations, and modern genetic methods will be used to provide an integrative picture of molecular and environmental regulation of the colors. The results will provide a better understanding of how gene regulation can affect the external appearance of animals. Through this project undergraduate students will be mentored and novel results and methods will be disseminated via publications and meeting presentations. The PIs will also conduct outreach to K-12 teachers and students.