Collaborative Research: Systematics and Evolution of Fossil and Living Delphinidans (Dolphins, Porpoises, and Kin)

合作研究：化石和活海豚（海豚、鼠海豚和近亲）的系统学和进化

• 批准号: 1025260
• 负责人: Jonathan Geisler
• 金额: $ 6.17万
• 依托单位: New York Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-01-20 至 2011-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1025260&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Systematics; Evolution; Fossil

In this project, principal investigators will integrate DNA sequences and anatomical data from living and fossil species to study the evolution of Delphinida, the group that includes oceanic dolphins, most river dolphins, porpoises, belugas, and narwhals. Research objectives are to resolve evolutionary relationships among living and extinct species, estimate when the diversification of dolphins occurred, determine if behavior influenced the evolution of large brains in dolphins, and unravel the evolution of olfactory receptor genes in aquatic animals that lack the sense of smell. DNA will be sequenced in a state-of-the-art lab, anatomical data will be collected from museums worldwide, and computers will be used to analyze the large body of data collected.This work will aid in the conservation of these federally protected species by stabilizing their classification, as well as by providing genetic tools to monitor threatened populations. Work on the evolution of brains in dolphins will be a case study with which to compare the evolution of large brains in primates. This study will engage undergraduate students in scientific research. Results will be disseminated on a website that educates the public about the remarkable evidence for evolution from fossils and the DNA of dolphins and porpoises.

在该项目中，首席研究人员将整合来自生物和化石物种的DNA序列和解剖学数据，以研究Delphinida的进化，包括海洋海豚，大多数河水海豚，海豚，蓝腹和鼻腔。研究目标是解决生命和灭绝物种之间的进化关系，估计海豚的多样化发生，确定行为是否影响了大脑在海豚中的演变，并揭示了缺乏嗅觉的水生动物中嗅觉受体基因的演变。 DNA将在最先进的实验室中进行测序，解剖学数据将从全球博物馆收集，计算机将用于分析收集的大量数据。这项工作将通过稳定其分类，以及提供基因工具来监测威胁性群体，从而帮助保护这些联邦保护的物种。在海豚中，大脑进化的工作将是一个案例研究，可以比较灵长类动物中大脑的演变。这项研究将吸引本科生参与科学研究。结果将在一个网站上传播，该网站向公众提供有关从化石和海豚和海豚的DNA进化的显着证据。