DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolutionary potential in response to climate change in two related species with different dispersal modes

这项拟议的研究将调查海洋蜗牛的不同扩散速度如何影响它们适应水温的能力。研究人员将比较两种蜗牛(Crepidula属)在不同温度条件下的幼虫和幼虫特征。其中一种幼虫在水中生活2-4周，并随洋流扩散；另一种幼虫在幼体时通过爬行散布。先前的研究表明，凸纹盘藻的扩散能力远低于叉尾盘藻，这种较低的扩散能力可能会使该物种适应当地的水温。目前的项目将在环境温度和有压力的较高温度下饲养这两个物种的幼虫和幼体，以研究这些物种耐温的遗传基础。这项研究很重要，因为它将有助于阐明扩散模式、基因流动和现有的局部适应之间的联系，这与未来面对气候变暖的适应有关，这是当今生物学家面临的最紧迫的问题之一。除了是回答这些问题的一个有价值的模型系统外，圆锥藻的范围转移或扩展问题也是管理层感兴趣的问题。该物种在欧洲是入侵物种，并对其入侵的生态系统产生了影响。这些同样的影响也可能适用于本地的福尼卡塔，因为该物种的范围和丰度向北扩展，以应对水温变暖。

The proposed research will investigate how different rates of dispersal in marine snails can influence their ability to adapt to water temperatures. The investigators will compare the larval and juvenile traits of two species of snail (genus Crepidula) under different temperature regimes. One of the species (C. fornicata) has larvae that live in the water for 2-4 weeks and disperse with ocean currents; the other (C. convexa) has larvae that disperse by crawling away as juveniles. Previous research has shown that C. convexa has much lower dispersal than C. fornicata, and that this lower dispersal may allow the species to adapt to local water temperatures. The current project will rear larvae and juveniles of both species at an ambient temperature and a stressful, higher temperature to investigate the genetic basis of temperature tolerance in these species.This research is important because it will help to elucidate the links between dispersal mode, gene flow, and extant local adaptation as related to future adaptation in the face of warming climate, one of the most pressing questions facing organismal biologists today. In addition to being a valuable model system to answer these questions, the issue of range shifts or expansions in C. fornicata is of management interest. The species is invasive in Europe and has impacted its invaded ecosystems. These same impacts may also apply to the native range of C. fornicata as the species expands its range and abundance northward in response to warming water temperature.