DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genetic Mechanisms of Spatial Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics in Range Expansions

拟议的研究将分析基因组模式，以测试进化的贡献，实验范围扩大使用模型实验室系统。近几十年来，物种的地理范围发生了大规模的变化，因为入侵物种的引入和气候模式的变化使生物体从祖先的地区迁移到新的地区。许多以前的山脉运动模型只依赖于生态过程，而忽视了进化;然而，最近的研究表明，在不断扩大的山脉边缘的进化可能发挥了关键作用。范围的变化有重要的保护和经济的影响，将通过这些研究。研究人员还为K-12教师举办了一个研讨会课程，并提供课程材料，以检查范围变化作为教学工具。几个假设将测试通过空间和时间使用面粉甲虫存储从一个已经完成的实验室范围扩大实验中的等位基因频率的量化模式。要测试的假设是：（1）物种范围的核心和边缘位置应该随着时间的推移而在遗传上越来越明显，（2）它们应该积累不同的遗传变异，边缘包含与高定殖能力相关的变异，（3）范围扩展的速度应该与这些进化的遗传模式相关。全基因组测序将被用来量化甲虫在不同时间和地点在范围扩大采样的等位基因频率。这些结果不仅将为空间结构在进化中的作用提供见解，而且对于管理入侵物种和由于气候变化而导致的物种迁移范围也具有重要意义。

The proposed research will analyze genomic patterns to test evolutionary contributions to experimental range expansion using a model laboratory system. Recent decades have seen large scale changes of species' geographic ranges, as introductions of invasive species and shifting climate patterns displace organisms from ancestral areas and expand into new regions. Many previous models of range movement rely only on ecological processes while ignoring evolution; recent research, however, suggests that evolution at the expanding range edge might play a key role. Range shifts have important conservation and economic implications that will be informed by these studies. The researchers also conduct a workshop course for K-12 teachers and provide curriculum materials to examine range shifts as a teaching tool. Several hypotheses will be tested by quantifying patterns in allele frequencies through space and time using flour beetles stored from an already completed laboratory range expansion experiment. The hypotheses to be tested are that (1) core and edge locations of a species range should grow increasingly genetically distinct through time, (2) they should accumulate different genetic variants, with edges containing variants associated with high colonization ability, and (3) the speed of range expansion should correlate with these evolved genetic patterns. Whole genome sequencing will be used to quantify allele frequencies among beetles sampled at different times and locations during the range expansion. The results will not only provide insights into the role of spatial structure in evolution, but they will also have significance for management of invasive species and species shifting ranges due to climate change.