Dissertation Research: The genetic architecture and ecological function of a novel coloration phenotype

进化生物学的一个基本目标是了解自然选择如何作用于生物体形成新的特征。颜色是动物与环境互动的关键方式，可能起到许多重要作用，包括吸引配偶或躲避捕食者。虽然在野生种群中很好地研究了着色的适应环境，但我们对这一重要特征的遗传基础知之甚少，限制了我们对着色如何进化的解释。这项建议调查了性别二色性(同一物种的雄性和雌性之间的颜色不同)的遗传基础和生态功能，以检验关于这一特征在不同青蛙群体中进化的假设。具体地说，这项研究整合了功能基因组学、生态学和行为学，以阐明一个性状的遗传基础及其在不同选择环境下的功能。这项研究的实地考察部分发生在撒哈拉以南非洲的森林中，那里拥有令人难以置信的两栖动物多样性，其中大部分仍未得到描述。因此，与该项目有关的两栖动物调查将有助于记录和保护该区域物种多样性的持续努力。为了促进这些努力，私人投资机构建立了一个由研究人员、非政府组织人员和学生(来自赤道几内亚和美国)组成的合作网络，他们在保护和生物多样性研究方面有着共同的兴趣。这笔赠款上的私人投资机构在学生培训(包括代表性不足的少数族裔和国际学生)、外联和科学公共传播方面有着既定的记录，这些将在本项目中继续下去。

A fundamental goal in evolutionary biology is to understand how natural selection acts on organisms to form novel traits. Coloration is a key way in which animals interact with their environments and may serve many important roles, including attracting mates or avoiding predators. Although the adaptive context of coloration is well studied in wild populations, we know very little about the genetic basis of this important trait, limiting our interpretation of how coloration evolves. This proposal investigates the genetic basis and ecological function of sexual dichromatism (coloration that differs between males and females of the same species) to test hypotheses about the evolution of this trait in a diverse group of frogs. Specifically, this research integrates functional genomics, ecology, and behavior to elucidate both the genetic basis of a trait and its function under different selective environments. The fieldwork component of this research takes place in the forests of sub-Saharan Africa, which are home to incredible amphibian diversity, much of which is still undescribed. Amphibian surveys associated with this project will therefore contribute to ongoing efforts to document and conserve species diversity in this region. To facilitate these efforts, the PIs have developed a collaborative network of researchers, NGO personnel, and students (from Equatorial Guinea and the USA) with shared interests in conservation and biodiversity research. The PIs on this grant have an established record in student training (including under-represented minority and international students), outreach, and public communication of science, which will continue in this project.