Phenotypic selection resulting from social interactions

所有生物体都与自己物种的成员相互作用，这种相互作用可以直接或间接地影响遗传、行为和进化。生物学家最近才开始考虑社会伙伴如何改变进化规则，改变选择塑造生物多样性的方式。这个项目将遵循野外的昆虫模型系统，研究社会背景的差异如何转化为经典理解的选择的差异。这项工作包括直接观察行为，以及开发红外视频监控系统来远程记录数据。实地考察工作将在山湖生物站进行，因此该项目将与非常成功的MLBS-本科生研究经验计划相结合，为新科学家提供培训机会，并为研究生和博士后研究员发展指导技能。这项工作的结果将决定社会背景和社会网络对行为进化过程的重要性。

All organisms interact with members of their own species, and such interactions can directly and indirectly influence genetics, behavior and evolution. Biologists have only recently begun to consider how social partners change the rules of evolution and alter the way that selection shapes biodiversity. This project will follow an insect model system in the wild, to examine how differences in social contexts translate into differences in classically understood selection. The work includes direct behavioral observation, as well as the development of infrared video monitoring systems to record data remotely. Fieldwork will be conducted at the Mountain Lake Biological Station so the project interfaces with the highly successful MLBS-Research Experience for Undergraduate program to provide training opportunities for new scientists, as well as developing mentoring skills for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The results of this work will determine how import social context and social networks are to the process of behavioral evolution.