DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genital biomechanics and mating system evolution in leiobunine harvestmen (Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae)

动物的生殖行为和结构极其多样化，但这种多样性的功能和进化原因尚不清楚。多样化是由男性和女性之间的冲突还是由女性对有价值的男性特征的选择推动的？舒尔茨和他的同事最近在一个很有前途的模型系统-北美东部收割机(长腿爸爸)-的工作中发现了与交配冲突的长期进化影响一致的特征组合：生殖军备竞赛。研究人员假设，收割者生殖结构的多样化是冲突的结果，而不是更广泛接受的雌性选择机制。这一假说将用生物力学方法进行验证，以测量几个物种的雄性和雌性的关键物理变量。将使用严格的统计和定量比较方法来确定物种之间是否存在显著差异，以及雄性和雌性结构的力学参数是否存在协变。如果多样性是由于交配冲突，生殖结构应该与其传递和抵抗机械力的能力相关，但如果雄性特征因雌性选择而进化，这一结果将不会被预期。这项研究是生物力学在解释进化过程中的一种新的应用，以及使用异常准确的定量数据进行比较的方法。将为本科生继续参与培训提供机会。作为一名混血少数民族科学家，Co-Pi Burns的持续研究和指导有助于增加科学的多样性，并确保NSF之前对Co-Pi Burns的投资将被证明是资源合理分配的。

Reproductive behaviors and structures in animals are extremely diverse, but the functional and evolutionary causes of this diversity remain unclear. Has diversification been driven by conflict between males and females or by female selection for valuable male traits? Recent work by Shultz and colleagues on a promising model system, the eastern North American harvestmen (daddy-long-legs), has identified combinations of features that are consistent with long-term evolutionary effects of mating conflict: a reproductive arms race. The researchers hypothesize that the diversification of reproductive structures in harvestmen is a result of conflict rather than the more widely accepted mechanism of female selection. This hypothesis will be tested using a biomechanical approach to measure key physical variables in males and females of several species. Rigorous statistical and quantitative comparative methods will be used to determine whether significant differences exist between species and whether the mechanical parameters of male and female structures co-vary. If diversification is due to mating conflicts, reproductive structures should be correlated in their abilities to deliver and resist mechanical forces, but this result would not be expected if male traits evolve due to female selection. This study is a novel application of biomechanics for the explanation of an evolutionary process, as well as the use of unusually accurate quantitative data for comparative methods. Opportunities for the continued involvement of undergraduate trainees will be provided. As a biracial minority scientist, the continued research and mentoring of Co-PI Burns serves to increase diversity in science and ensures that previous investments in Co-PI Burns by the NSF will prove to be resources well-allocated.