Evolutionary analyses of sexual dimorphism

男性和女性在行为、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等一系列后果。因此，理解形成性别差异的进化力量是进化生物学的一个核心问题。我研究的总体目标是双重的：了解控制性别差异进化的选择力、遗传机会和约束的本质，以及了解它们对多样性的影响。为了解决这些问题，我们运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，学生将学习到广泛的进化生物学的实践技能，以及更普遍的科学分析和交流技能。目前的研究主要集中在四个方面：1)性选择和性冲突在性状多样化中的作用；2)两性异形变异的生态原因与后果；3)适合度遗传变异的选择历史和性质；4)选择性历史、环境和性别偏向转录组。这项研究将为两性异形的进化提供新的见解，包括性选择和冲突在形成性别差异中的作用，生态变化如何调节进化力量，古代发育基因提供的机会和限制以及两性之间的遗传联系。

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.