The impact of life-history trait evolution on the stability of population dynamics

根据定义，种群动态是由一群相互作用的个体产生的生活史的综合反应。对于广泛的分类群，种群经历单代周期，这是一种与个体生活史特征密切相关的周期。来自大自然的一些壮观的例子是每个季节在卷蛾上爆发4-5次，以及红眼鲑鱼游动中的四年周期。生活史特征也是生态和进化过程相联系的地方，许多理论工作表明，生活史是理解生态和进化动态之间生态反馈的关键。*我的长期研究目标是了解决定生活史的生态过程(例如，资源竞争、阶段结构相互作用)如何放大以产生单代周期，以及生态动力学如何影响生活史特征的进化。我的研究的最终目标是回答这样一个问题：种内相互作用是否会导致生活史特征的进化，从而产生大规模的单代周期？*我的研究建立在我在数学和实验生物学方面的跨学科研究的良好记录基础上。在这项资助中，我将与4PhD、3MSc一起研究生活史特征的演变如何影响种群的稳态动态(稳定)或循环动态(不稳定)。为了研究全生态反馈回路，该提案有3个目标。在其中，我们将发展以生物生活史为中心的生物学理论，然后使用两种害虫蛾对生态和进化预测进行实验测试。*目标1：将生活史特征与种群动态联系起来，以确定与确定种群稳定性(稳定状态与周期)最相关的特征。*目标2：在两个模式生物中进化生活史特征，以研究与稳定性相关的特征的进化性。*目标3：绘制生活史的进化轨迹，以评估真实种群动态下性状进化的方向及其动力学后果。*我们的研究将使用两种单代周期较强的卷蛾(不稳定)和一种丰度相对恒定的卷蛾(稳定)。这导致了一种令人兴奋的科学二分法，即我们在实验中进化出一种稳定，而另一种不稳定。除了它们的科学价值，这些物种还代表了世界各地的农业害虫--鱼雷的生活史。生物和化学干预直接针对害虫的生活史，这导致了广泛的抗性进化。我们对生活史进化的研究将为更好地理解如何以有利于害虫防治的方式指导性状进化提供基础。

Population dynamics isby definitionthe aggregate response of life histories emerging from a group of interacting individuals. For a wide range of taxa, populations undergo single-generation cycles, which is a type of cycle that is strongly linked to individual life-history traits. Some spectacular examples from nature are the 4-5 outbreaks each season in tortrix moths and the four year cycles in sockeye salmon runs. Life-history traits are also where ecological and evolutionary processes connect, and much theoretical work reveals that life histories are the key to understanding the ecogenetic feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics. ******My long-term research goals are to understand how the ecological processes that determine life histories (e.g., resource competition, stage-structured interactions) scale-up to generate single-generation cycles and, it turn, how ecological dynamics impact the evolution of life-history traits. The end goal of my research is to answer the question Do intraspecific interactions result in the evolution of life-history traits that generate large amplitude single-generation cycles?******The proposed research builds on my strong record of interdisciplinary research in mathematical and experimental biology. In this grant, myself along with 4PhD, 3MSc will study how the evolution of life-history traits impacts whether a population has steady-state dynamics (stable) or cycling dynamics (unstable). To study the full ecogenetic feedback loop, the proposal has 3 objectives. Within each, we will develop biological theory centred on organismal life histories and then experimentally test ecological and evolutionary predictions using two species of pest moths.***Objective 1: Links life-history traits to population dynamics to identify traits most relevant for determining population stability (steady-state versus cycling). ***Objective 2: Evolves life-history traits in two model organisms to study evolvability of stability-related traits. ***Objective 3: Maps evolutionary trajectories of life histories to evaluate the direction of trait evolution under real population dynamics and their dynamical consequences.******Our research will use two species of tortrix mothsone that has strong single-generation cycles (unstable) and one that has comparatively constant abundances (stable). These allow for an exciting scientific dichotomy whereby we experimentally evolve stability in one and instability in the other. Beyond their scientific value, these species typify the life-cycle of tortricids that are agricultural pests around the world. Biological and chemical interventions directly target pest life history, which has resulted in widespread resistance evolution. Our research studying life history evolution will provide the foundation to better understand how to direct trait evolution in a way that benefits pest control.