DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The adaptive significance and genetic basis of sperm midpiece length

雄性经常竞争交配的机会；在滥交的物种中，这种斗争在交配后仍在继续，因为精子会竞争使卵子受精，从而推动雄性生殖特征的快速进化。这项研究将使用两种鹿鼠的基因杂交，一种是滥交的，一种是一夫一妻制的，来回答两个关键问题：(a)哪些特征有助于精子竞争的成功？(b)哪些遗传区域负责这些特征？通过在受精竞争中竞争具有不同生殖特征的小鼠，并通过确定这些特征与特定基因组区域之间的联系，这项工作将确定由精子竞争塑造的特征和基因。这项新颖的研究将首先确定哪些特征受到这种关键的进化力量的影响，然后确定它们的遗传基础。与该项目相结合的是公共宣传工作，包括在马萨诸塞州萨默维尔的一个男孩和女孩俱乐部为四年级和五年级的学生设计和实施一项为期八周的适应课程。这个俱乐部的大多数学生都来自服务欠缺的社区的低收入家庭。该项目还将包括对本科生的指导。

Males often compete for the opportunity to mate; in promiscuous species, this battle continues after mating, as sperm compete to fertilize eggs, thereby driving the rapid evolution of male reproductive characteristics. This study will use a genetic cross between two species of deer mouse, one promiscuous and one monogamous species, to answer two critical questions: (a) which traits contribute to sperm competition success? and (b) which genetic regions are responsible for these traits? By competing mice with different reproductive characteristics in fertilization contests, and by identifying associations between these characteristics and specific genomic regions, this work will identify the traits and genes molded by sperm competition. This novel study will first ascertain which traits are subject to this critical evolutionary force, and then determine their genetic basis. In conjunction with the project will be public outreach efforts, including the design and implement of an eight-week curriculum on adaptation for students in grades four and five at a Boys & Girls Club in Somerville, Massachusetts. The majority of students in this club come from low-income families in an underserved community. The project will also include mentoring of undergraduate students.