DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The effects of density, sex ratio, and biparental care on social and genetic monogamy in the mantis shrimp Pullosquilla litoralis

社会一夫一妻制(一男一女生活在一起)的存在长期以来一直困扰着研究人员，因为两性通常通过与多个伴侣交配获得更多的生殖成功。这就提出了一个问题：在什么条件下，一夫一妻制会带来生育优势？这项拟议的研究试图验证三个假设，即可能解释螳螂一夫一妻制进化的三个假设：雌性的空间分布均匀，雄性和雌性的性别比例相等，以及需要双亲照顾。它还测试了雌性的空间分布和性别比例对长毛螳螂的遗传一夫一妻制(每个卵有多少雄性后代)的影响，以发现社会交配系统和遗传交配系统是如何相互作用来塑造生殖行为的。长毛螳螂是一种螳螂虾，它们成对生活在沙质海洋底物的洞穴中，雄性和雌性都通过给卵子通气和清除污染的卵子来照顾它们。这项拟议的研究将在澳大利亚蜥蜴岛研究站通过实地研究和实验进行。海洋实验室的实地研究和实验将检验雌性的空间分布和性别比例对社会一夫一妻制的影响。亲子鉴定将阐明这些因素对基因一夫一妻制的影响。实验室实验还将检验双亲照料对雄性和雌性长吻松鼠繁殖成功的影响。最后，这项研究将有助于海洋甲壳类保护的管理策略作为富有魅力的无脊椎动物，螳螂虾是保护珊瑚礁的优秀大使。联合皮赖特将通过K-12课堂访问，一个由加州大学古生物学博物馆与理解科学倡议协调主办的实地博客，以及本科生导师，与公众分享她的研究成果。

The existence of social monogamy (when a male and a female live together) has long puzzled researchers since both sexes usually gain more reproductive success by mating with multiple partners. This raises the question: under what conditions will monogamy provide reproductive advantages? The proposed research seeks to test three hypotheses that may explain the evolution of social monogamy in the mantis shrimp Pullosquilla litoralis: even spatial distribution of females, equal sex ratio between males and females, and the need for biparental care. It also tests the effects of even female spatial distribution and sex ratio on genetic monogamy (how many males sire each egg clutch) of P. litoralis to discover, how social mating systems and genetic mating systems interact to shape reproductive behaviors?.P. litoralis is a mantis shrimp that lives in pairs in burrows in sandy marine substrates where both males and females care for eggs by aerating them and removing fouled eggs. The proposed research will be conducted through field studies and experiments at Lizard Island Research Station, Australia. Field studies and experimentation in the marine lab will examine the effects of female spatial distribution and sex ratio on social monogamy in P. litoralis. Paternity testing will elucidate the effects of these factors on genetic monogamy. Laboratory experiments will also examine the effects of biparental care on the reproductive success of male and female P. litoralis. Finally, this research will contribute to management strategies for the conservation of marine crustaceansAs charismatic invertebrates, mantis shrimps are excellent ambassadors for the conservation of coral reefs. Co-PI Wright will share her research with the public through K-12 classroom visits, a field blog that will be hosted by the UC Museum of Paleontology in coordination with the Understanding Science initiative, and undergraduate mentorship.