What role does adaptation play in population differentiation and speciation in highly mobile organisms?

传统上，新物种被认为是在种群逐渐遗传分化之后产生的，种群被物理障碍分隔开。然而，在我们对物种形成的理解中存在许多巨大的差距。例如，相同的因素是否会破坏不同物种的扩散？高度移动的物种在遗传上能适应当地的条件吗？我的研究小组正在解决海鸟的这些问题。海鸟提供了有用的研究系统，因为它们的生态学通常很好理解，而且它们很容易大量采样。此外，由于它们在扩散时几乎没有遇到物理障碍，因此在各种生物体中促进分化的非物理因素比在移动的较少的生物体中更为明显。在上一个资助周期中，我们发现了对传统物种形成模型的几个令人惊讶的挑战。在本申请中，我建议调查的作用，当地的适应在人口分化和物种形成的高度移动的生物。具体来说，我建议应用生态（如生活史）数据和尖端的基因组方法相结合，调查A）的遗传基础的平行适应的季节性比赛的带腰风暴海燕，和B）的程度，当地的适应在两个物种的北极海鸟。计划采取两种办法：1）在关键性状（例如繁殖季节）上不同的个体的全基因组比较;和2）研究靶（候选）基因如“时钟”（涉及繁殖和迁移的时间）和“ADCYAP 1”（可能涉及迁移的不安）的功能变异。鉴于我们广泛的DNA档案，合作者网络和创新历史，我的实验室具有独特的优势，可以最大限度地利用这些研究系统的发现。这项工作将阐明功能性状的遗传基础，这些性状的适应性效应，以及功能基因的变异水平。研究结果对于了解当地适应的潜力和速度都很重要，并对加拿大几种海鸟有直接的保护效益。该计划将为4名博士提供多学科培训，3 M.Sc.和近似。10名B.Sc.学生。

Traditionally, new species were thought to originate following gradual genetic divergence of populations separated by a physical barrier to dispersal. However there are many large gaps in our understanding of speciation. For example, do the same factors disrupt dispersal in different species? Do highly mobile species adapt to local conditions genetically? My research team is addressing questions such as these in seabirds. Seabirds present useful study systems because their ecology is generally well understood, and they are easy to sample in large numbers. Furthermore, because they encounter few physical barriers to dispersal, non-physical factors that can promote divergence in a variety of organisms are more evident than in less mobile organisms. In the previous funding cycle, we found several surprising challenges to the traditional model of speciation. In the present application, I propose to investigate the role of local adaptation in population differentiation and speciation in highly mobile organisms. Specifically, I propose to apply a combination of ecological (e.g. life history) data and cutting-edge genomic methods to investigate A) the genetic basis of parallel adaptation in seasonal races of band-rumped storm-petrels, and B) the extent of local adaptation in two species of arctic seabirds. Two approaches are planned: 1) genome-wide comparisons of individuals differing in a key trait (e.g. breeding season); and 2) investigation of functional variation in target (candidate) genes such as 'clock' (involved in the timing of reproduction and migration) and 'ADCYAP1' (potentially involved in migratory restlessness). Given our extensive DNA archive, network of collaborators and history of innovation, my lab is uniquely positioned to maximize the findings from these study systems. The proposed work will clarify the genetic basis of functional traits, fitness effects of these traits, and levels of variation in functional genes. Results are important for understanding both the potential for, and rate of, local adaptation, and have direct conservation benefits for several species of Canadian seabirds. This program will provide multidisciplinary training for 4 Ph.D., 3 M.Sc. and approx. 10 B.Sc. students.