研究生态选择和性选择在亚种分化中的作用是探索物种形成机制的重要问题。雄性的信息素是鼠类重要的性选择性状。我们以两个相邻亚种的褐家鼠（Rattus norvegicus）：东北亚种（R.n.caraco）和华北亚种（R.n.humiliatus）为研究对象，（1）研究两亚种之间信息素等表型性状分化、配偶选择和行为生殖隔离的特点；（2）利用传统的遗传标记分析和全基因组重测序研究两个亚种遗传分化特点及关键基因；（3）通过对信息素产生的主要器官（肝脏，包皮腺）转录组分析，推测信息素产生途径上调控分化的主要基因；（4）利用RNAi技术、基因敲除技术等，验证几个亚种间变异的基因对信息素分化的作用。本项目对于揭示鼠类地理种群遗传分化、性选择性状分化及生殖隔离之间的关系有重要理论意义，对于在亚种水平研发精准的信息素引诱剂和探索控害新途径具有实际意义。预期发表SCI文章4-6篇，培养研究生4-6名。

Ecological selection and sexual selection are vital problems in exploring the process of speciation. Two parapatrically distributed subspecies of rat (Rattus norvegicus), from northeastern (R.n.caraco) and Northern (R.n.humiliatus) China are used here. (1) We first investigate the pheromone signals, mate choice behavior and reproductive isolation in two subspecies; (2) and then we use both the traditional genetic marker analysis and whole genome sequencing to analyze the gene differentiation and key genes; (3) we also analysis the gene expression patterns in liver and preputial glands, which were the main pheromone producing organs, to infer the key genes modulating the pheromone differentiation; (4) finally the function of the potential key genes will be verified by genetic manipulation such as RNAi and knock out. This proposal is aim to reveal the differentiation between the two geographic subspecies of both the genes and sexual selected traits, and find their relationship with reproductive isolation. Besides the theoretical contribution, our research is also of practical importance in understanding pheromone attractant precisely in subspecies levels, and finding new way of pest control. 4-6 high quality papers are expected to publish and 4-6 graduate students are going to be trained.