Evolutionary origins of female katydid preferences for specific characteristics of male vocalizations

该项目解决了新特征进化的基本生物学问题，即没有明显前体的特征。PI使用一种新的行为特征，即女性对领导呼叫的偏好，来研究导致这种特征进化的机制。使用多样化的研究系统（Neoconocephalus katydids），PI使用广泛的实验来测试可能有助于新性状进化的所有相关因素。实验方法包括行为测试、繁殖实验、生物声学分析和神经生物学分析。所有实验将在多达10个物种之间进行比较。结果将产生可以说是迄今为止最完整的一种新性状的进化图景，允许对多种适应性和非适应性假设进行批判性评估。这项研究将是一个重大贡献的生物多样性的起源在生理和进化水平的理解。了解生物多样性的起源可能反过来有助于保护生物多样性，通过进一步了解气候和其他环境变量影响性状expression.The更广泛的影响，这项研究不仅包括保护生物多样性的潜在贡献，而且还教育未来的科学家。 将培养4名研究生和多名本科生。方法的广度使该项目成为培养学生综合研究复杂生物学问题的理想选择。PI还通过将当前的研究方法整合到本科课程中的研讨会，以及通过在多个机构建立生物教育工作者社区，与区域2年制和4年制大学的其他生物学教师进行接触。

This project addresses the fundamental biological question of the evolution of novel traits, i.e. traits that do not have obvious precursors. The PIs use a novel behavioral trait, namely the female preference for leading calls, to study the mechanisms that lead to the evolution of this trait. Using a diverse study system (Neoconocephalus katydids), the PIs use a broad range of experiments to test all relevant factors that could potentially contribute to the evolution of the novel trait. Experimental methods include behavioral tests, breeding experiments, bioacoustic analyses and neurobiological analyses. All experiments will be conducted comparatively among up to ten species. The results will produce arguably the most complete picture of the evolution of a novel trait to date, allowing critical evaluation of multiple adaptive and non-adaptive hypotheses. This study will be a major contribution to the understanding of the origins of biodiversity at both the physiological and evolutionary levels. Understanding the origins of biodiversity may in turn contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, by furthering the understanding of the role that climate and other environmental variables impact trait expression.The broader impacts of this study include not only potential contributions to preserving biodiversity, but also educating future scientists. Four graduate students and multiple undergraduate students will be trained. The breadth of approaches makes this project ideal for training students in the integrative study of complex biological problems. The PIs also reach out to other biology faculty at regional 2- and 4-year colleges through workshops on integrating current research approaches into the undergraduate curriculum, and by building a community of biology educators across multiple institutions.