Collaborative Research: Eye evolution in Sarsielloidea (Crustacea: Ostracoda): an integrative approach based on phylogenetics, developmental genetics, behavior and optics.

合作研究：沙氏菌纲（甲壳纲：介形纲）的眼睛进化：一种基于系统发育、发育遗传学、行为和光学的综合方法。

• 批准号: 1146337
• 负责人: Todd Oakley
• 金额: $ 35.36万
• 依托单位: University of California-Santa Barbara
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-01 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1146337&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Eye; evolution; Sarsielloidea

Within a single species males and females can differ dramatically. This is known as sexual dimorphism. This project aims at uncovering the evolution, development, and ecological purpose of a radical sexual dimorphism in a group of crustaceans known as 'seed shrimp' or ostracods. While males do not contain additional genetic information compared to females (they have no Y chromosome), they are able to generate large image-forming eyes whereas females have only rudimentary eyes that cannot form an image. This project will combine developmental biology, bioinformatics, phylogenetics and next-generation sequencing to uncover the genetic differences in males and females in various species showing different levels of sexual dimorphism. Using these data and data collected from ostracods worldwide, the researchers will also be able to elucidate the evolutionary history of this dimorphism. In addition, the researchers will examine the behavioral aspects underlying this dimorphism by testing whether males require image-forming eyes to have a high mating success rate. The broader impacts of this project are multifold: First, this project will contribute new understanding regarding the genetics and evolution of sexual dimorphism in an ecological context. Second, this project provides research opportunities for researchers at many levels including pre-health and pre-grad undergraduates, masters students, post-doctoral researchers, and junior and senior faculty. The researchers have strong records of service in broadening participation of under-represented groups in science and preliminary work has already provided research opportunities for several individuals from underrepresented groups including the project director. Third, this research will strengthen international collaboration with a Swedish research group. Finally, this research will provide key additional data regarding the evolution of eyes, a subject which has long fascinated the public, allowing the researchers to contribute to public education via outreach.

在同一物种内，雄性和雌性可能存在巨大差异。 这被称为性别二态性。 该项目旨在揭示一群被称为“种子虾”或介形类的甲壳类动物中激进的两性二态性的进化、发展和生态目的。 虽然与雌性相比，雄性不包含额外的遗传信息（它们没有 Y 染色体），但它们能够产生大的成像眼睛，而雌性只有基本的眼睛，无法形成图像。 该项目将结合发育生物学、生物信息学、系统发育学和下一代测序，揭示不同物种中雄性和雌性表现出不同程度的性二态性的遗传差异。 利用这些数据和从世界各地的介形类动物收集的数据，研究人员还将能够阐明这种二态性的进化历史。 此外，研究人员将通过测试雄性是否需要形成图像的眼睛来获得高交配成功率，来研究这种二态性背后的行为方面。 该项目的更广泛影响是多方面的：首先，该项目将有助于对生态背景下两性二态性的遗传学和进化有新的认识。 其次，该项目为包括健康前和研究生预科本科生、硕士生、博士后研究人员以及初级和高级教师在内的多个层次的研究人员提供了研究机会。 研究人员在扩大代表性不足的群体参与科学方面拥有良好的服务记录，初步工作已经为包括项目主任在内的少数群体的一些人提供了研究机会。 第三，这项研究将加强与瑞典研究小组的国际合作。 最后，这项研究将提供有关眼睛进化的关键附加数据，这是一个长期以来令公众着迷的课题，使研究人员能够通过推广为公众教育做出贡献。