Collaborative Research: Dimensions: Experimental adaptive radiation - genomics of diversification in bird lice

合作研究：维度：实验适应性辐射 - 鸟虱多样化的基因组学

• 批准号: 1342604
• 负责人: Kevin Johnson
• 金额: $ 62.9万
• 依托单位: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-11-01 至 2019-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1342604&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Dimensions; Experimental; adaptive

Adaptive radiation occurs when one species of organism diversifies into several species that occupy distinct ecological niches. The process is a common generator of biodiversity, yet the genetic changes underlying it have not been documented. Parasites, one of the most diverse groups of organisms on earth, are thought to adaptively radiate as they switch to new species of hosts. This process will be studied using birds and feather lice, which are host specific parasites that spend all of their time on the host's body. Lice will be transferred in controlled experiments between normal and novel species of captive hosts. Evolutionary changes in genomes of the lice will be documented as they undergo adaptive radiation. The results of this work may have implications for basic research, as well as human and animal health. Genomic data will be deposited in public databases. One postdoctoral associate, two Ph.D. students, and several undergraduate students will be trained. Two educational modules demonstrating adaptation by natural selection will be developed for K-12 students: "cryptic critters" (K-6) and "hunker down" (7-12). These modules are cost effective and easy to implement. Their effectiveness will be assessed with assistance from the University of Utah Center for Science and Math Education.

当一种生物体多样化为占据不同生态位的多种物种时，就会发生适应性辐射。 该过程是生物多样性的常见生成器，但其背后的遗传变化尚未被记录。 寄生虫是地球上最多样化的生物群体之一，被认为在转换到新的宿主物种时会适应性地辐射。 这一过程将利用鸟类和羽虱进行研究，它们是特定的寄生虫的宿主，它们所有的时间都在宿主的身体上度过。 虱子将在对照实验中在正常和新物种的圈养宿主之间转移。 当虱子接受适应性辐射时，它们基因组的进化变化将被记录下来。 这项工作的结果可能对基础研究以及人类和动物健康产生影响。 基因组数据将存放在公共数据库中。 一名博士后，两名博士。学生，以及数名本科生将接受培训。 我们将为 K-12 学生开发两个展示自然选择适应能力的教育模块：“神秘生物”(K-6) 和“蹲下”(7-12)。 这些模块具有成本效益且易于实施。 他们的有效性将在犹他大学科学和数学教育中心的协助下进行评估。