CAREER: Using fossil bivalves to study controls on longevity and establish a paleobiological learning ecosystem in southeast Texas

职业：利用化石双壳类研究长寿的控制并在德克萨斯州东南部建立古生物学学习生态系统

• 批准号: 2340642
• 负责人: David Moss
• 金额: $ 68.43万
• 依托单位: Sam Houston State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-07-01 至 2029-06-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2340642&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Using; fossil; bivalves; study

Recent discoveries have suggested that bivalves might hold the secrets to understanding ageing. Like tree rings, bivalves record growth increments in their shells. Today, one of the longest-lived animals on the planet is the clam Arctica islandica, which can live for over 500 years. In addition to this species, over a dozen modern bivalves have been shown to live for over 100 years. While longevity of modern bivalves is well known because of their economic importance, very little is known about the lifespans of fossil bivalves. This work examines lifespans and growth rates of fossil bivalves to understand the phylogenetic (evolutionary relationships) and environmental controls on longevity. This project provides authentic research experiences for students at a Hispanic Serving Institution and creates workshops for current high school teachers and undergraduate students majoring in science education. The project is funded by the Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Program and the Biological Oceanography Program.Life history data derived from using the tools of sclerochronology can contribute to a better understanding of macroevolutionary processes. However, the field of life history analysis applied to fossil organisms is in its infancy and much work remains to be done. This proposal will unite the fields of sclerochronology and paleobiology and lay the foundation for a new path of research. Using fossil bivalves, the three primary questions are: 1) is lifespan a heritable trait; 2) can body size trends be explained by changes in life history strategy; and 3) do latitudinal life history gradients change in alternate climate settings. The educational component of this project will: 1) modify an Invertebrate Paleontology course into a course-based undergraduate research experience; 2) run workshops for current high school teachers and undergraduate students pursuing teaching degrees; 3) create paid lab assistant positions and support attendance at national conferences for undergraduate students; and 4) increase community and K-12 student access to the Sam Houston Natural History Collections.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

最近的发现表明，双壳类动物可能掌握着理解衰老的秘密。与树木年轮一样，双壳类动物在壳中记录生长增量。如今，地球上最长寿的动物之一是北极蛤，它的寿命可以超过 500 岁。除了这个物种之外，还有十多种现代双壳类动物已被证明寿命超过 100 年。虽然现代双壳类动物的长寿因其经济重要性而众所周知，但人们对化石双壳类动物的寿命却知之甚少。这项工作检查了双壳类化石的寿命和生长率，以了解系统发育（进化关系）和环境对寿命的控制。该项目为西班牙裔服务机构的学生提供真实的研究经验，并为现任高中教师和科学教育专业的本科生开设研讨会。该项目由沉积地质学和古生物学计划以及生物海洋学计划资助。使用硬化年代学工具获得的生命史数据有助于更好地理解宏观进化过程。然而，应用于化石生物的生命史分析领域还处于起步阶段，还有很多工作要做。该提案将结合硬化年代学和古生物学领域，并为新的研究路径奠定基础。使用双壳类化石，三个主要问题是：1）寿命是否是一个可遗传的特征？ 2）体型变化趋势可以用生活史策略的变化来解释吗？ 3）纬度生命史梯度在交替气候环境中是否发生变化？该项目的教育部分将：1）将无脊椎动物古生物学课程修改为基于课程的本科生研究经验； 2）为现任高中教师和攻读教学学位的本科生举办研讨会； 3）设立带薪实验室助理职位并支持本科生参加全国会议； 4) 增加社区和 K-12 学生接触 Sam Houston 自然历史收藏的机会。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。