Collaborative Research: SG: Clonality and the scope for adaptation in heterogeneous environments

所有物种都存在于不同的环境中。一个物种如何适应这些环境，决定了它在特定地点的生存。这也决定了物种随时间的变化范围。生物体表现出的繁殖类型可能会对这种适应不同的景观产生深远的影响。在许多生物体中都发现了一种关键的繁殖模式，即部分克隆，包括无性繁殖和有性繁殖。这些物种包括影响许多重要生态系统功能的物种。在许多病原体、害虫和入侵物种中也发现了部分克隆。这项研究将开发数学模型，探索部分克隆和当地环境变化如何相互作用，塑造这些物种的进化。这项研究的结果将有助于确定种群的关键方面，这些方面使它们特别容易受到环境条件变化的影响，导致种群下降甚至灭绝。相反，使人们更容易适应新环境的因素也将被确定。这项工作的一个重要影响是它适用于我们对入侵物种和新出现的传染病的理解。更广泛的影响还包括提高数学素养，以及更好地理解在该项目下培训的研究生和本科生的生物科学、数学和统计学之间的联系。本研究将探索克隆诗有性后代经历的平均选择制度的差异，以及这可能如何影响在不同环境中实现的适应模式。尤其令人感兴趣的是对基因组多样性的影响，以及种群在环境变化下的持续能力。将利用两种互补的方法来解决这些复杂性：(1)结合阶段结构生活史和表型进化的分析模型，以及(2)考虑到进化和人口统计学中随机性的重要方面的基于个人的向前时间模拟模型。这两种建模方法将共同阐明繁殖模式和可变选择环境在塑造物种动态方面的综合影响。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

All species exist in a variety of environments. How a species adapts across those environments determines its survival in a particular location. This also determines the species range over time. The type of reproduction shown by an organism can have profound consequences for that adaptation across a varied landscape. One key reproductive mode, partial clonality, which includes both asexual reproduction, and sexual reproduction, is found in many organisms. These include species that influence many important ecosystems functions. Partial clonality is also found in many pathogens, pests, and invasive species. This research will develop mathematical models that explore how partial clonality and local environmental variation interact to shape the evolution of such species. The results of this research will help identify key aspects of populations that make them especially vulnerable to changing environmental conditions, leading to population decline and even extinction. Conversely, factors that allow populations to more easily adapt to new environments will also be determined. An important impact of this work is its applicability to our understanding of invasive species and emerging infectious diseases. Broader impacts also include increased mathematical literacy and a better understanding of the linkages between the biological sciences, mathematics, and statistics for both graduate and undergraduate students trained under this project.This study will explore the differences in the average selective regime experienced by clonal verses sexual offspring and how that may influence realized patterns of adaptation across a variable landscape. Of particular interest is the influence on genomic diversity, and a population's ability to persist under environmental change. Two complementary approaches will be utilized to address these complexities: (1) analytical models combining stage-structured life histories and phenotypic evolution and (2) individual-based forward-time simulation models allowing for consideration of important aspects of stochasticity in both evolution and demography will be applied. Together these two modeling methods will clarify the integrated effect of reproductive mode and variable selective environment in shaping the dynamics of speciesThis award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.