DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Molecular Evolution of Reproductive Genes in Australian Fairy Wrens (Maluridae)

论文研究：澳大利亚细尾鹪鹩（Maluridae）生殖基因的分子进化

• 批准号: 0909897
• 负责人: Scott Edwards
• 金额: $ 1.46万
• 依托单位: Harvard University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-06-01 至 2010-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0909897&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Molecular; Evolution; Reproductive

Birds living in temperate regions are valuable for studying the molecular evolution of reproductive genes because reproduction takes place during a brief breeding season. Genes involved with reproduction could be active primarily during this time of year. Such genes may have evolved in response to natural selection, and could have a role in the formation of new species through influences on barriers to fertilization. Only a few reproductive genes have been studied, and most of the work has been in a few model organisms. Members of the Australian bird family Maluridae (Australian wrens), have an extremely high level of sperm production, suggesting an unusual genetic influence on reproduction. The first goal of this study is to identify novel reproductive genes that are expressed in the testes. Then the mechanisms of evolution of these genes will be examined and their diversification within the Maluridae will be compared with control genes that have not been exposed to natural selection. A final study, of geographic variation for one species, will give a better understanding of the underlying source of selection on reproductive genes. This project includes collaboration with a several Australian organizations, which will foster the exchange of academic knowledge and scientific technology between Australia and the United States, and it will serve as an example of applying the most recent genetic methods to non-model organisms. Local landowners will be educated about the project. In addition, samples used for this study will be provided as museum voucher specimens to serve as resources to other scientists as well as the general public.

居住在温带地区的鸟类对于研究生殖基因的分子进化很有价值，因为繁殖发生在短暂的繁殖季节。涉及繁殖的基因可能主要在一年中的这个时候活跃。这种基因可能是响应自然选择而发展的，并且可以通过影响受精的障碍来在新物种的形成中发挥作用。仅研究了少数几个生殖基因，大多数工作都是在几种模型生物中。澳大利亚鸟类家族的成员（澳大利亚扭伤）具有极高的精子产生，这表明对生殖产生了异常的遗传影响。这项研究的第一个目标是确定睾丸中表达的新型生殖基因。然后，将检查这些基因进化的机制，并将其在疟疾科中的多样化与尚未暴露于自然选择的对照基因进行比较。关于一种物种的地理变异的最终研究将更好地理解生殖基因选择的潜在选择来源。该项目包括与几个澳大利亚组织的合作，该组织将促进澳大利亚和美国之间的学术知识和科学技术的交流，并将作为将最新遗传学方法应用于非模型生物的一个例子。当地土地所有者将接受有关该项目的教育。此外，该研究使用的样本将作为博物馆代金券标本提供，以作为其他科学家以及公众的资源。