DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The effect of development on evolution of a reproductive trait in Drosophila

物种内部和物种之间的形态差异主要是发育差异的结果。一个器官的发育如何影响最终的成年形态，以及这如何限制或促进进化，人们知之甚少。本论文旨在探讨果蝇卵巢形态进化变化的发育基础。和所有昆虫一样，这些苍蝇的卵巢被分成叫做卵巢的亚结构，作为产卵的流水线。卵巢的数量对生殖能力有很大的影响，因为卵巢越多的苍蝇可以产下更多的卵。在亲缘关系密切的物种中，卵巢数量可以迅速进化，有时与幼虫觅食和生长的特定环境（生态位）有关。PIs将研究不同卵巢数量物种的卵巢发育，以了解(1)不同的发育变化如何改变卵巢数量，(2)生态位特化如何影响卵巢数量进化。该项目将结合实验室和实地工作，以深入了解卵巢的发育如何影响其进化轨迹。此外，这项研究将为本科生提供培训，包括代表性不足的少数民族的成员。夏威夷果蝇还将在当地的课外艺术活动中用于教育小学生，学生们将通过绘画了解不同形态特征的功能。

The morphological differences within and between species are largely the result of differences in development. It is poorly understood how the development of an organ can impact the resulting adult morphology and how this might constrain or enhance evolution. This dissertation research will investigate the developmental basis of evolutionary change in ovarian morphology in Drosophilid flies. In these flies, as in all insects, the ovary is divided into substructures called ovarioles that act as assembly lines for egg production. The number of ovarioles has a large impact on reproductive capacity, as flies with more ovarioles can lay more eggs. Ovariole number can evolve rapidly among closely related species and is sometimes correlated with the specific environment (niche) where larvae feed and grow. The PIs will investigate ovary development of species with diverse ovariole numbers to understand (1) how different developmental changes alter ovariole number, and (2) how niche-specialization influences ovariole number evolution. This project will combine lab and field work to provide insights into how the development of the ovary influences its evolutionary trajectory. In addition, this research will provide training for undergraduate students, including members of underrepresented minorities. Hawaiian Drosophilids will also be used to educate elementary school children at a local afterschool art program, where students will learn about the function of different morphological features through drawing.