Evolution of neural substrates mediating reproductive decisions

介导生殖决定的神经基质的进化

基本信息

批准号：
0752238
负责人：
Kim Hoke
金额：
$ 30万
依托单位：
University of Texas at Austin
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：
2008-06-01 至 2009-08-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0752238&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Evolution neural substrates mediating reproductive

项目摘要

Differences in reproductive behaviors can prevent interbreeding between populations, thereby promoting the formation of new species (speciation). How do differences in the brain contribute to behavioral divergence and speciation? This project combines functional neuroanatomy, genetics, and behavioral experiments to study differences in the brain that may lead to different mating decisions between populations in a single species. The researcher will focus on variation within a species of a frog, Physalaemus petersi. The experiments will test which sensory cues the females in the two populations of P. petersi are using to make their divergent mating decisions, and identify which brain regions function differently to cause these behavioral differences. The proposal is a novel attempt to understand fundamental questions about the neural mechanisms of natural decisions. The proposed work will take significant steps in linking evolution of the brain to the behavioral differences that, by promoting reproductive isolation between populations, may contribute to speciation. The proposed work will include numerous opportunities for training. Four US undergraduates and four Ecuadorian undergraduates will participate in the project and receive training in neuroscience, behavior, and field experiments. One of the Ecuadorian students will spend a semester in the US working with the researcher and the US undergraduates to experience the laboratory side of research in neuroethology.

生殖行为的差异可以防止种群之间的杂交，从而促进新物种的形成（物种）。大脑的差异如何促进行为差异和物种形成？该项目结合了功能性神经解剖学，遗传学和行为实验，以研究大脑中的差异，这可能会导致单个物种中种群之间不同的交配决策。研究人员将着重于青蛙Physalaemus Petersi的变化。这些实验将测试Petersi两个人群中的女性的感觉提示是为了做出不同的交配决定，并确定哪些大脑区域的功能不同以引起这些行为差异。该提案是一种新的尝试，试图了解有关自然决策神经机制的基本问题。拟议的工作将采取重大步骤将大脑的演变与行为差异联系起来，而行为差异通过促进人群之间的生殖隔离可能有助于物种。拟议的工作将包括许多培训机会。四名美国大学生和四名厄瓜多尔本科生将参加该项目，并接受神经科学，行为和现场实验的培训。一名厄瓜多尔学生将在美国与研究人员和美国大学生一起工作一个学期，以体验神经心理学研究的实验室方面。