DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Assessing evolution of euryhalinity in anchialine shrimps

甲壳类中离子/盐调节的分子机制仅在少数物种中得到了表征，主要是具有海洋祖先的螃蟹。来自沿海池塘和池塘的虾是解决这种知识缺乏的机会，因为它们的祖先是决定性的淡水，但已经适应了盐度剧烈波动的环境。之前的研究发现，夏威夷特有的一种对虾物种--红色盐藻，在盐度转移后具有非典型的基因表达模式。为了在进化的背景下研究这一点，将使用高通量基因表达测量(RNA-Seq)来研究来自日本琉球群岛的其他对虾物种渗透调节的分子机制。这些虾类物种代表着对这些栖息地(来自淡水和海洋环境)的独立入侵，并将进一步加深我们对甲壳类生物渗透调节进化的有限理解。总体而言，该项目将阐明渗透调节的进化，渗透调节是所有生物的关键生物学过程。来自代表性不足群体的本科生将在项目期间接受培训和指导。此外，这个系统将被用来让K-12的学生学习各种生物学概念。

The molecular mechanisms of ionic/salt regulation in crustaceans have only been characterized for a narrow range of species, mainly crabs with a marine ancestry. Shrimp from coastal ponds and pools represent an opportunity to address this lack of knowledge since they have a decisively freshwater ancestry but have adapted to live in environments with drastically fluctuating salinities. Previous research found that Halocaridina rubra, a shrimp species endemic to Hawaii, has atypical patterns of gene expression following salinity transfer. To examine this in an evolutionary context, the molecular mechanisms of osmoregulation from additional shrimp species from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan will be investigated using high-throughput measures of gene expression (RNA-Seq). These shrimp species represent independent invasions of these habitats (from both freshwater and marine environments) and will further our limited understanding of the evolution of osmoregulation in crustaceans.Overall, this project will illuminate the evolution of osmoregulation, a critical biological process for all living organisms. Undergraduates from underrepresented groups will be trained and mentored during the project. Additionally, this system will be used to engage K-12 students in a variety of biological concepts.