Sexual dimorphism in the dioecious grass Distichlis spicata: testing hypotheses for the evolution of intraspecific niche divergence

雌雄异株草 Distichlis spicata 的性别二态性：检验种内生态位分歧进化的假设

• 批准号: 0743461
• 负责人: Sarah Eppley
• 金额: $ 26.18万
• 依托单位: Portland State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-03-01 至 2013-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0743461&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Sexual; dimorphism; dioecious; grass; Distichlis

PROJECT ABSTRACTSpatial separation of males and females should be a significant disadvantage in organisms that are not mobile. However, spatial separation is common in plants with separate sexes. This project will integrate field, greenhouse, and molecular approaches to rigorously test hypotheses for mechanisms causing spatial separation of the sexes in the wetland grass Distichlis spicata (saltgrass). The study takes advantage of novel molecular techniques to identify saltgrass seedlings as male or female, then follows the fates of both genders in an integrated set of experiments that will evaluate the mechanisms and consequences of competition for limited resources by males and females of the same species in a variety of habitats. Additionally, the experiments will test whether the soil biota plays a significant role in the different plant-soil associations of males and females. The proposed research will have significant impacts on wetland conservation, resource management, and student training. Sea levels are projected to rise for the foreseeable future. Understanding how male and female plants of saltgrass compete will allow researchers to anticipate the effects of rising sea levels on this important salt marsh species. The proposed research also has applied value, because saltgrass and related species are used in agronomy and environmental restoration. The project will also provide support for two graduate and 12 undergraduate students. Undergraduates will be recruited through outreach to local community colleges to increase recruitment of underrepresented groups via targeted internships.

在非流动的生物体中，男性和女性的摘要空间分离应该是一个重要的劣势。 但是，空间分离在具有独立性别的植物中很常见。 该项目将整合田间，温室和分子方法，以严格检验假设，以便在湿地草distichlis spicata（saltgrass）中导致性别的空间分离。 该研究利用新颖的分子技术来识别盐草幼苗为雄性或女性，然后在一组综合的实验集中遵循两种性别的命运，这些实验将评估雄性和女性对有限资源的竞争机制和后果在各种栖息地。此外，实验将测试土壤生物群是否在雄性和女性的不同植物土壤关联中起重要作用。拟议的研究将对湿地保护，资源管理和学生培训产生重大影响。 预计在可预见的未来，海平面将上升。 了解咸草竞争的雄性和雌性植物如何使研究人员预期海平面上升对这种重要的盐沼物种的影响。 拟议的研究还具有应用价值，因为盐草和相关物种用于农艺和环境恢复。 该项目还将为两名研究生和12名本科生提供支持。 本科生将通过向当地社区大学推广，通过有针对性的实习来增加代表性不足的团体的招聘。