QTLs and candidate genes for behaviour in natural populations
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Variation in mating behaviour is responsible for sexual selection, gene flow and speciation in natural populations, but is amongst the most difficult traits to study at a genetic level. Numerous genes influencing behaviour have been identified in organisms such as the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster but there are very few studies of how important allelic variation at these genes is to variation in natural populations. We will take advantage of new techniques in genome information, genetic scoring and statistical approaches to detecting genes in natural populations to examine the genomic location of genes influencing variation in ecologically important behavioural traits in the Arctic fly species Drosophila montana. We will examine genes identified in the laboratory as influencing these traits in D melanogaster as well as random background genes. We will produce semi-natural populations of D montana from two different natural populations (from Finland and Canada) and test whether allelic variation in genes is co-inherited with male song and female song preferences. The results will identify genes influencing these traits in natural populations and tell us if these genes are conserved between populations and between different species. The results are important because they allow us to determine whether the function of genes is conserved across species, which has important implications for our understanding of gene function and behaviour, which are very poorly studied in natural populations.
Organisations
Publications
Ala-Honkola O
(2014)
Copulation duration, but not paternity share, potentially mediates inbreeding avoidance in Drosophila montana
in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Blyth J
(2008)
Divergence in Multiple Courtship Song Traits between Drosophila santomea and D. yakuba
in Ethology
Chen AL
(2019)
Evolution and diversity of the courtship repertoire in the Drosophila montium species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae).
in Journal of evolutionary biology
Etges WJ
(2009)
Genetics of incipient speciation in Drosophila mojavensis: II. Host plants and mating status influence cuticular hydrocarbon QTL expression and G x E interactions.
in Evolution; international journal of organic evolution
Etges WJ
(2010)
Genetics of incipient speciation in Drosophila mojavensis. III. Life-history divergence in allopatry and reproductive isolation.
in Evolution; international journal of organic evolution
Grillet M
(2012)
Incipient speciation in Drosophila melanogaster involves chemical signals.
in Scientific reports
Immonen E
(2009)
When are vomiting males attractive? Sexual selection on condition-dependent nuptial feeding in Drosophila subobscura
in Behavioral Ecology
Jennings JH
(2011)
Sexual and postmating reproductive isolation between allopatric Drosophila montana populations suggest speciation potential.
in BMC evolutionary biology