DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The mechanistic basis of seasonal color molts in snowshoe hares

该项目将测试一种假设，即一些哺乳动物季节性改变毛色的能力是通过基因突变进化而来的，这种突变使着色基因和毛发生长基因的表达同步。研究结果将为复杂性状的进化过程提供一般性的见解。生物体表现出许多复杂和相互关联的特征，这些特征有助于它们在环境中取得成功。然而，人们对复杂性的演化知之甚少。研究产生复杂性状的分子和遗传机制可以澄清生物复杂性的起源。本项目将探讨这些机制在表达季节性毛色变化的雪鞋野兔，表现出区域变化的能力，改变颜色。该项目将让本科生参与研究，项目参与者将与蒙大拿大学媒体艺术学院合作，开发基于研究系统的互动外展材料。将基因型与自然界的适应性表型联系起来是进化生物学的一个基本目标。现有基因调控网络的协同选择可能是适应性性状进化的一个重要机制，特别是涉及不同生物过程之间协调的适应性性状。本研究将探讨基因调控网络协同选择在雪鞋兔季节性颜色蜕皮进化中的作用。使用RNA测序和DNA-蛋白质结合分析在蜕皮雪鞋野兔皮肤，该项目将探讨的假设，即毛色变化的共同选择的季节性毛发生长调节机制的着色基因，以同步这些过程中的季节性颜色蜕皮。这项研究将提供一个罕见的一瞥到复杂的适应性性状在自然种群的进化所涉及的分子机制。

The project will test the hypothesis that the ability of some mammals to change their coat color seasonally, has evolved via a genetic mutation that synchronized the expression of coloration genes and hair growth genes. The results will provide general insights into the processes by which complex traits evolve. Organisms exhibit many complex and interrelated traits that contribute to their success in the environment. However, the evolution of complexity is poorly understood. Investigating the molecular and genetic mechanisms that produce complex traits clarify the origins of biological complexity. This project will explore these mechanisms in the expression of seasonal coat color change in snowshoe hares, which exhibit regional variation in their ability to change color. The project will involve undergraduates in research and project participants will work with the University of Montana School of Media Arts to develop interactive outreach materials based on the study system.Linking genotypes to adaptive phenotypes in nature is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology. The co-option of existing gene regulatory networks may be an important mechanism underlying the evolution of adaptive traits, particularly adaptive traits that involve coordination among distinct biological processes. This research will explore the role of gene regulatory network co-option in the evolution of seasonal color molts in snowshoe hares. Using RNA sequencing and DNA-protein binding assays in molting snowshoe hare skin, the project will explore the hypothesis that coat color change evolved by the co-option of seasonal hair growth regulatory machinery by coloration genes to synchronize these processes in the seasonal color molts. This research will provide a rare glimpse into the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of a complex adaptive trait in a natural population.