Evolutionary Ecology of a Cave Dwelling Poeciliid Fish: The Roles of Darkness and Toxic Sulfur.

洞穴生活的 Poeciliid 鱼的进化生态学：黑暗和有毒硫磺的作用。

• 批准号: 0743406
• 负责人: Ingo Schlupp
• 金额: $ 27.7万
• 依托单位: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-06-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0743406&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Evolutionary; Ecology; Cave; Dwelling; Poeciliid

Extreme habitats require special adaptations. Populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) have independently colonized two caves in Tabasco (Mexico) that harbor toxic levels of hydrogen-sulfide and dark conditions. Adaptations to dark environments, such as reduced pigmentation and eyes, are well known among cave organisms. However, how animals adapt to high levels of hydrogen-sulfide are not well understood. This research is designed to study life history evolution among closely-related molly populations that are found in extreme habitats of dark, hydrogen-sulfide waters found in caves, as well as in non-toxic environments that experience normal ambient light levels. The research examines fitness responses to environmental conditions in the field and in common garden experiments where environmental conditions are manipulated. By taking a functional approach to examine response of life history traits among a suite of closely-related taxa under different conditions, the research can make important contributions to understanding how organisms adapt to extreme environments, including the rather novel conditions found in hydrogen-sulfide rich aquatic environments.The project, which takes place in one of the poorest areas of Mexico, will be conducted in collaboration with several international colleagues including researchers from a small, Mexican university, the Universidad Intercultural in Oxolatan. The Oxolatan campus primarily serves underrepresented indigenous people. This project will provide field research training to local students from the Universidad Intercultural and provide opportunities for students and faculty from that campus to visit the University of Oklahoma for training and cultural exchange. In addition, undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Oklahoma will receive training as part of this project, including international research opportunities. Outreach to educate the local population using public talks and posters will also occur as part of this project. Results from this research will help protect the Cueva del Azufre as a globally unique habitat and cultural icon for the local Zoque tribe.

极端栖息地需要特殊适应。 大西洋莫莉（Poecilia Mexicana）的种群在塔巴斯科（墨西哥）独立定居了两个洞穴，这些洞穴含有有毒水平的氢硫化物和黑暗条件。 在洞穴生物中，对黑暗环境（例如色素沉着和眼睛）的适应性（例如色素沉着和眼睛）是众所周知的。但是，动物如何适应高水平的氢硫化物尚不清楚。 这项研究旨在研究与密切相关的莫莉种群之间的生活历史的演变，这些人群在洞穴中发现的深色，氢硫化物水的极端栖息地以及在经历正常环境光线水平的无毒环境中​​发现。该研究检查了对环境条件的野外环境条件的适应性反应。 通过采用一种功能性的方法来检查一套与密切相关的分类群之间的生活历史特征的反应，这项研究可以为了解生物如何适应极端环境，包括在氢硫化水的水上环境中发现的相当新颖的条件，从而做出重要贡献在牛lat中的跨文化。 Oxolatan校园主要为代表性不足的土著人民提供服务。该项目将为跨文化大学的当地学生提供现场研究培训，并为该校园的学生和教职员工提供机会，访问俄克拉荷马大学进行培训和文化交流。此外，俄克拉荷马大学的本科生和研究生将接受该项目的一部分培训，包括国际研究机会。 在该项目的一部分中，还将发生宣传以使用公众谈判和海报来教育当地人口。这项研究的结果将有助于保护当地Zoque部落的全球独特栖息地和文化偶像。