RUI: The Impact of Multiple Functional Roles on the Morphological Diversification of Turtle Shells

由于生物体的大多数部分执行多种功能，要了解相互冲突的功能需求如何影响这些部分，进化是至关重要的；然而，无论是理论框架还是广泛的现实世界数据都无法解决这个问题。为了弥补这一差距，这项研究将整合对所有300种活着的海龟贝壳的详细解剖学和工程分析(包括计算机建模和使用模型的真实世界验证)。将考虑三个功能属性：贝壳强度、游泳过程中的贝壳阻力以及海龟倾覆时的贝壳稳定性。这些数据将用来解决三个问题。必须执行更多功能的贝壳与功能较少的贝壳进化是否不同(例如，水龟贝壳的进化与陆地海龟的不同，后者不需要在水下高效？)有没有哪种外壳的功能表现不佳？如果不同的功能对壳提出了不同的要求(例如，扁壳看起来最适合游泳，但强度更差)，那么在进化过程中，壳是如何在不同功能之间妥协的？这项研究将解决组织生物学最近的几个重大挑战，帮助科学家了解生物在进化过程中如何与环境相互作用，并将生物结构分析与先进的工程技术相结合。所有数据将通过Dryad(www.datadryad.org)和Biomesh(www.bibiesh.org)数据库公开。这一结果将适用于其他生物贝壳(如蛋或头骨)或小型潜水器等人工结构的开发。这个项目有广泛的教育内容。25至25名本科生将参与这一项目，接受尖端成像和分析技术(适用于从医学到工程等职业的技能)和科学研究经验的应用培训。当学生在当地小学帮助发展和讲授生物学课程时，他们还将发展公共沟通技能。

Since most parts of organisms perform multiple functions, to understand how conflicting functional demands can affect those parts, evolution is critical; however, neither a theoretical framework nor extensive real-world data are available to address this topic. To address this gap, this study will integrate detailed anatomical and engineering analyses (including computer modeling and real-world validation using models) of the shells of all 300 living species of turtle. Three functional attributes will be considered: shell strength, shell drag during swimming, and shell stability when the turtle is overturned. The data will be used to address three questions. Do shells that must perform more functions evolve differently than those with fewer functions (e.g., do aquatic turtle shells evolve differently than those of land turtles, which don't need to be efficient underwater?). Are there shells that perform poorly for any of their functions? If different functions impose different requirements on shells (e.g., flat shells seem best for swimming, but worse for strength), how do shells compromise among functions during evolution? This study will address several recent Grand Challenges in Organismal Biology, helping scientists to understand how organisms interact with their environment during evolution and integrating the analysis of biological structures with advanced engineering techniques. All data will be made publicly available via the Dryad (www.datadryad.org) and Biomesh (www.biomesh.org) databases. The results will be applicable to other biological shells (e.g., eggs or skulls) or to the development of artificial structures such as small submersibles. This project has an extensive educational component. Twenty to twenty-five undergraduate students will work on this project, receiving applied training in cutting-edge imaging and analysis techniques (skills applicable in careers from medicine to engineering) and experience with scientific research. Students will also develop public communication skills when they help develop and present biology lessons with the PI at local primary schools.