Expanding gene-environment causality in evolutionary genetics. This project aims to investigate how environmental experiences shape phenotypes, engender variance in populations and ultimately contribute to evolution. It targets new discoveries for how environmental effects can multiply throughout ontogeny and/or propagate across generations. Although widely speculated to support new evolutionary paradigms, such knowledge lacks scrutiny according to the formal metric of quantitative genetics. Thi ....Expanding gene-environment causality in evolutionary genetics. This project aims to investigate how environmental experiences shape phenotypes, engender variance in populations and ultimately contribute to evolution. It targets new discoveries for how environmental effects can multiply throughout ontogeny and/or propagate across generations. Although widely speculated to support new evolutionary paradigms, such knowledge lacks scrutiny according to the formal metric of quantitative genetics. This project seeks to expose guppy pedigrees to unique manipulations and reconcile adaptive evolution across captive and wild populations. The outcome is expected to address knowledge gaps in the life and human sciences and potentially inform goals in primary production and conservation.Read moreRead less
Intergenomic conflict and the evolution of uniparental inheritance of mitochondria. Why do all mammalian male sperm cells destroy their own mitochondria after fertilisation? A major evolutionary theory, the conflict hypothesis, aims to answer this question. The argument goes as follows. If an organism were to contain mitochondria from both parents, each mitochondrial lineage would be selected in an “arms race” to replicate faster than the other lineage, and this would likely be costly to the org ....Intergenomic conflict and the evolution of uniparental inheritance of mitochondria. Why do all mammalian male sperm cells destroy their own mitochondria after fertilisation? A major evolutionary theory, the conflict hypothesis, aims to answer this question. The argument goes as follows. If an organism were to contain mitochondria from both parents, each mitochondrial lineage would be selected in an “arms race” to replicate faster than the other lineage, and this would likely be costly to the organism. Uniparental inheritance of mitochondria prevents such evolutionary arms race. Sounds plausible? Yes. Has it been tested? No. This project will be the first attempt to test this intriguing hypothesis. Experimental evidence for the evolution of selfish mitochondria would provide solid support for this major evolutionary theory. Read moreRead less
Lamarckian lizards: novel integration of telomere epigenetics, free radicals and innate antioxidants in condition-dependant sexual signal evolution. In 2009, the Nobel Prize in physiology was awarded Drs. Blackburn, Greider and Szostak for discoveries on telomeres. This project will investigate how telomeres not only cap chromosomes from destruction by free radicals, but also have a key role in life itself, in their influence on ageing, longevity, ornaments and lifetime reproductive success.
Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evol ....Understanding how reproduction and sexual conflict drive sex-dependent longevity and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how molecules, genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. The evolutionary study of ageing is considered one of the success stories of the emerging field of evolutionary medicine, yet we desperately need greater integration of the evolutionary and mechanistic spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Read moreRead less
The role of genome reorganisation in adaptation and speciation. Local adaptation and speciation are fundamental evolutionary processes that rely on changes to the genome. However, the role of genome architecture (e.g. chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications) in driving these processes is poorly understood. This project will use advanced comparative genomics and bioinformatics to examine the role of chromosome rearrangements in driving adaptation and speciation, and evaluate rates of molec ....The role of genome reorganisation in adaptation and speciation. Local adaptation and speciation are fundamental evolutionary processes that rely on changes to the genome. However, the role of genome architecture (e.g. chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications) in driving these processes is poorly understood. This project will use advanced comparative genomics and bioinformatics to examine the role of chromosome rearrangements in driving adaptation and speciation, and evaluate rates of molecular evolution between the X-chromosome and autosomes. Utilising Australia’s endemic mammalian fauna as a tractable model system, I will link population processes with macro-evolutionary outcomes to show how genome architecture underpins biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Integrating sexual selection and the allocation of sex in the zebra finch: back to the outback. The Australian zebra finch has become the primary avian model species in evolutionary biology studies in Europe and North America as the focus of classic laboratory-based studies of sexual selection, and sex allocation. Surprisingly, these studies have focused on populations of birds maintained in an unnatural environment and in captivity for decades that have been through tens of generations of artif ....Integrating sexual selection and the allocation of sex in the zebra finch: back to the outback. The Australian zebra finch has become the primary avian model species in evolutionary biology studies in Europe and North America as the focus of classic laboratory-based studies of sexual selection, and sex allocation. Surprisingly, these studies have focused on populations of birds maintained in an unnatural environment and in captivity for decades that have been through tens of generations of artificial selection, the effects of which are unknown - not a trivial issue for students of evolution. Using experimental manipulations I will study these high profile research areas in wild populations, focusing international attention on this internationally recognised Australian species and raising the profile of Australian research. Read moreRead less
Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ....Why do good males die young? The relationship between ageing and sexual selection. A biological understanding of ageing is directly relevant to human welfare. We will use lab and field studies to explore the evolutionary genetics of ageing in an Australian cricket, with particular emphasis on how diet and the timing of reproduction influence the rate at which crickets deteriorate with age. We will also test whether biological differences between males and females generate genetic conflicts over ageing rates. Our results will not only complement an evolutionary study of ageing, but may ultimately suggest interventions that may prolong human life or improve the quality of life in an ageing population.Read moreRead less
Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have differe ....Linking the evolutionary and bioenergetic causes of sex differences in lifespan and ageing. The biological study of longevity and ageing has two important fronts: understanding how evolution shapes lifespan and ageing, and the mechanistic study of how genes, hormones, tissues and cells interact during ageing. Interventions to prolong longevity and improve quality of life depend on a vigorous and innovative research effort in both spheres. This project addresses why males and females have different lifespans and age differently in a way that bridges evolutionary and mechanistic study, and will build Australia's research capacity to study ageing at both levels. Because of the human interest in diet, sex, reproduction and ageing, we expect this research will be a showcase for public interest in science.Read moreRead less
The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the se ....The role of sexual conflict in the evolution of lifespan and ageing. Despite the central importance of ageing in our own lives, our understanding of the evolution of ageing is still incomplete. Reproductive interests of males and females often diverge, resulting in sexual conflict which may in turn drive the evolution of rapid ageing. I will use experimental evolution to investigate the role of sexual conflict in the evolution of age-specific mortality, reproductive ageing and lifespan in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculates. This study will reveal the role of sexual interactions and reproduction in the ageing process and result in the development of important new resources for resolving the genetic basis of deteriorative ageing.Read moreRead less
Alternative life-history strategies in the evolution of colour polymorphism. Theoreticians have long recognised the value of colour polymorphic systems for providing a window into the evolution of genetic diversity, adaptations and even speciation. However, few species display appropriate discrete polymorphisms, and as such, there is little empirical evidence to support these ideas. Using a series of innovative experiments and a unique bird displaying three discrete head colours, I will test the ....Alternative life-history strategies in the evolution of colour polymorphism. Theoreticians have long recognised the value of colour polymorphic systems for providing a window into the evolution of genetic diversity, adaptations and even speciation. However, few species display appropriate discrete polymorphisms, and as such, there is little empirical evidence to support these ideas. Using a series of innovative experiments and a unique bird displaying three discrete head colours, I will test these theories, producing results which will have a major international impact. Understanding the interaction of environmental and genetic diversity in the highly endangered Gouldian finch also offers an opportunity to provide insight into how declining wild populations can be effectively managed.Read moreRead less