Collaborative Research: The Genetics of Convergence at Multiple Levels: Evolution of Colorful Dewlaps in Anolis

亲缘关系较远的物种在相似形式上的趋同进化是生物进化的一个共同特征，也是自然选择最明显的标志之一。加勒比海的阿诺利斯蜥蜴提供了一个教科书的例子，在大安的列斯群岛的每个岛屿上，在相似的栖息地中独立出现了形态、生态和行为相似的物种。本项目利用阿诺利斯蜥蜴颜色的多样性和重复进化来研究趋同进化的遗传基础。利用RNA测序和详细的表型表征，这项研究将确定与彩色色素沉着相关的基因，并确定趋同是否源于相同基因和发育途径的变化。阐明趋同进化的遗传学将丰富我们对进化过程的理解，而深入了解彩色色素的遗传学将对脊椎动物生物学的研究产生深远的影响。由于Anolis垂肉颜色的多样性是如此引人注目，该项目提供了一个视觉上吸引人的进化实例，对教育和一般社区产生了更广泛的影响。主要研究人员将在哈佛自然历史博物馆设计一个公开展览，以突出趋同进化和着色的遗传基础，阐明研究过程，并教授有关适应性辐射和进化的基本课程。该展览将提供给其他博物馆。此外，本科生在这个项目中将完成物种页的生命百科全书的每个物种在这项研究中。这些网页易于查阅，并将载有数据摘要、照片和录像。它们将成为学生、教育工作者和媒体的有用资源。

Convergent evolution of similar form by distantly related species is a common feature of organismal evolution and among the most tangible signatures of natural selection. Anolis lizards in the Caribbean provide a textbook example, with species similar in morphology, ecology and behavior arising independently in similar habitats on each of the Greater Antillean islands. This project exploits the diversity and repeated evolution of coloration in Anolis lizards to study the genetic basis of convergent evolution. Using RNA-sequencing and detailed phenotypic characterization, this study will identify genes associated with colorful pigmentation and determine if convergence results from changes in the same genes and developmental pathways. Illuminating the genetics of convergent evolution will enrich our understanding of the evolutionary process, and insight into the genetics of colorful pigmentation will have far-reaching impact on the study of vertebrate biology.Because the diversity in Anolis dewlap color is so striking, this project presents a visually appealing example of evolution with broader impact on the educational and general community. The principal investigators will design a public exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History to highlight the genetic basis of convergent evolution and coloration, illuminate the research process, and teach basic lessons about adaptive radiation and evolution. The exhibit will be made available to other museums. Also, undergraduates in this project will complete species pages for the Encyclopedia of Life for each species in this study. These web pages are easily accessible and will contain data summaries, photographs and videos. They will serve as useful resource for students, educators and the media.