DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Relationship between diverse male coloration and speciation in darters

雄性和雌性繁殖成功率差异的选择（性选择）与物种形成有关，通过驱动雄性特征和雌性对该特征的偏好的差异。然而，这一过程不适用于通过雄性竞争而不是雌性偏好选择的性状多样化。然而，如果涉及到物种识别，这些特征可能促进物种形成，如果物种之间的交配是不利的（即，对杂交的强化），这些特征是有利的。这个项目调查了橙喉鱼和彩虹鲷鱼，它们是一种具有多样化和独特的雄性繁殖颜色的物种鱼类分支的代表。在这两种情况下，雄性之间的竞争都会影响它们的繁殖成功率，而雌性的偏好则不会。研究将包括：(1)偏好实验，以测试雄性颜色是否介导物种识别；(2)实地调查，以检查雄性颜色多样化的潜在因素；(3)育种设计，以衡量杂交不育性，从而增强潜力。这个项目将阐明物种形成和雄性-雄性竞争之间的关系，这是性选择的一个主要方面。此外，还将有机会通过参与涉及本地水生动物的公共宣传活动来进行科学教育，因为它们是有关生态学、进化和保护的有吸引力和易于理解的主题。最后，这个项目将指导本科生进化概念和科学探究的过程。

Selection on differential reproductive success of males and females (sexual selection) has been linked to speciation by driving divergence in both a male trait and the female preference for that trait. However, this process should not apply to the diversification of traits selected via male-male competition rather than female preference. Such traits may nevertheless facilitate speciation if involved in species recognition, and be favored if mating among species is disadvantageous (i.e., reinforcement against hybridization). This project investigates orangethroat and rainbow darters, representatives of a speciose fish clade with diverse and distinctive male breeding coloration. In both, competition between males affects their reproductive success while female preference does not. The research will incorporate (1) preference experiments to test whether male coloration mediates species recognition, (2) field surveys to examine the factors underlying male color diversification, and (3) a breeding design to measure hybrid inviability and thus the potential for reinforcement.This project will elucidate the poorly understood relationship between speciation and male-male competition, a major aspect of sexual selection. Additionally, there will be opportunities for science education through participation in public outreach events involving native aquatic fauna, as darters make attractive and accessible subjects for teaching about ecology, evolution, and conservation. Finally, this project will mentor undergraduates in evolutionary concepts and the process of scientific inquiry.