DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The mechanistic basis of seasonal color molts in snowshoe hares

论文研究：雪鞋野兔季节性换色的机制基础

• 批准号: 1702043
• 负责人: Jeffrey Good
• 金额: $ 1.8万
• 依托单位: University of Montana
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-04-01 至 2019-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1702043&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; mechanistic; basis; seasonal

The project will test the hypothesis that the ability of some mammals to change their coat color seasonally, has evolved via a genetic mutation that synchronized the expression of coloration genes and hair growth genes. The results will provide general insights into the processes by which complex traits evolve. Organisms exhibit many complex and interrelated traits that contribute to their success in the environment. However, the evolution of complexity is poorly understood. Investigating the molecular and genetic mechanisms that produce complex traits clarify the origins of biological complexity. This project will explore these mechanisms in the expression of seasonal coat color change in snowshoe hares, which exhibit regional variation in their ability to change color. The project will involve undergraduates in research and project participants will work with the University of Montana School of Media Arts to develop interactive outreach materials based on the study system.Linking genotypes to adaptive phenotypes in nature is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology. The co-option of existing gene regulatory networks may be an important mechanism underlying the evolution of adaptive traits, particularly adaptive traits that involve coordination among distinct biological processes. This research will explore the role of gene regulatory network co-option in the evolution of seasonal color molts in snowshoe hares. Using RNA sequencing and DNA-protein binding assays in molting snowshoe hare skin, the project will explore the hypothesis that coat color change evolved by the co-option of seasonal hair growth regulatory machinery by coloration genes to synchronize these processes in the seasonal color molts. This research will provide a rare glimpse into the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of a complex adaptive trait in a natural population.

该项目将检验以下假设：某些哺乳动物在季节性上改变外套的颜色的能力已通过遗传突变演变而来，该突变同步着色基因和头发生长基因的表达。结果将提供有关复杂性状发展的过程的一般见解。生物体表现出许多复杂且相互关联的特征，这有助于它们在环境中的成功。但是，复杂性的演变知之甚少。研究产生复杂性状的分子和遗传机制阐明了生物复杂性的起源。该项目将探索这些机制，以表达雪鞋野兔的季节性外套变化，这些野兔的颜色变化具有区域变化。该项目将涉及研究本科生，项目参与者将与蒙大拿大学媒体艺术学院合作，根据研究系统开发互动外展材料。链接基因型以自然界的适应性表型是进化生物学的基本目标。现有基因调节网络的共同选择可能是适应性特征演变的重要机制，尤其是涉及不同生物学过程之间协调的自适应特征。这项研究将探讨基因调节网络合作在雪鞋野兔中季节性色蜕皮演变中的作用。该项目使用RNA测序和DNA-蛋白结合测定法中，该项目将探索以下假设：涂层的颜色变化是通过色素通过着色基因的季节性头发生长调节机制而演变而来的，以同步季节性颜色蜕皮。这项研究将罕见地了解与自然人群中复杂自适应性状进化有关的分子机制。

项目成果

The evolution of white-tailed jackrabbit camouflage in response to past and future seasonal climates

• DOI: 10.1126/science.ade3984
• 发表时间: 2023-03
• 期刊: Science
• 影响因子: 56.9
• 作者: Mafalda S. Ferreira;Timothy J. Thurman;Matthew R. Jones;Liliana Farelo;Alexander V. Kumar;Sebastian M. E. Mortimer-Se

Adaptive introgression underlies polymorphic seasonal camouflage in snowshoe hares

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aar5273
• 发表时间: 2018-06-22
• 期刊: SCIENCE
• 影响因子: 56.9
• 作者: Jones, Matthew R.;Mills, L. Scott;Good, Jeffrey M.
• 通讯作者: Good, Jeffrey M.