Evolutionary analyses of sexual dimorphism

雄性和雌性在行为、形态和生理上可能存在显著差异，这些差异会产生从生物多样性到人类健康的各种后果。因此，理解形成性别差异的进化力量是进化生物学的一个中心问题。我的研究的总体目标是双重的：了解选择力的性质，遗传机会和制约因素，支配性差异的演变，并了解其多样化的后果。为了解决这些问题，我们采用了进化生物学的全套工具，从新理论的发展，到选择的实证研究，再到发育遗传学。我们的综合方法为本科生，研究生和博士后学员的智力发展提供了肥沃的土壤。在这种环境中，学生学习广泛的实践技能，具体到进化生物学，以及科学分析和沟通的更一般的技能。 目前的研究建议集中在四个主题上：1）性选择和冲突在性状多样化中的作用; 2）性二态性变异的生态原因和后果; 3）选择性历史和适应性遗传变异的性质;以及4）选择性历史，环境和性别偏见转录组。这项研究将为性二态性的进化提供新的见解，包括性选择和冲突在塑造性别差异中的作用，生态变化如何介导进化力量，以及古老的发育基因和两性之间的遗传联系所提供的机会和限制。

Males and females can differ strikingly in behaviour, morphology and physiology, and these differences have consequences ranging from biodiversity to human health. Understanding the evolutionary forces that shape sex differences is therefore a central problem in evolutionary biology. The overall goals of my research are twofold: to understand the nature of selective forces, genetic opportunities and constraints that govern the evolution of sexual differences, and to understand their consequences for diversification. To address these questions we employ the full tool kit of evolutionary biology, ranging from the development of new theory, to empirical studies of selection, to developmental genetics. Our integrative approach provides a fertile ground for the intellectual development of undergraduates, graduate and post-doctoral trainees. In this environment, students learn a wide range of practical skills specific to evolutionary biology, and the more general skills of scientific analysis and communication. The current research proposal centres on four themes: 1) The role of sexual selection and conflict in trait diversification; 2) The ecological causes and consequences of variation in sexual dimorphism; 3) Selective history and the nature of genetic variance for fitness; and 4) Selective history, environment and the sex-biased transcriptome. This research will provide new insights into the evolution of sexual dimorphism, including the role of sexual selection and conflict in shaping sex differences, how ecological variation mediates evolutionary forces, and the opportunities and constraints afforded by ancient developmental genes and genetic linkages between the sexes.