Alternative reproductive tactics and threshold evolution. This research is focussed at the highest level in the field of evolutionary biology; testing recent theory for the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics and using these species to test hypotheses about adaptation. The proposal involves collaborations with high-profile researchers from three European countries and will increase Australia's standing as a world-leader in evolutionary biology. Australian students will benefit from exp ....Alternative reproductive tactics and threshold evolution. This research is focussed at the highest level in the field of evolutionary biology; testing recent theory for the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics and using these species to test hypotheses about adaptation. The proposal involves collaborations with high-profile researchers from three European countries and will increase Australia's standing as a world-leader in evolutionary biology. Australian students will benefit from exposure to high quality international collaborators. We will also increase our understanding of the biology of the European earwig, a pest species in Australia. Reproductive tactics are exciting topics for media attention and this research will reach a wide and interested Australian and world audience.Read moreRead less
A genomic approach to understanding the maintenance of genetic variation under sexual selection. Using a model Australian species, this project will dissect the linkages between DNA sequence variation, gene expression, phenotypic traits and fitness in a natural population. Data will facilitate powerful tests of evolutionary processes thought to maintain genetic variation in complex traits.
The contribution of pleiotropic mutation to genetic variation and evolution. This project aims to provide an in-depth characterization of pleiotropic effects across many traits, including fitness, in an outbred population of the fly, Drosophila serrata. The potential for one gene to affect many traits, pleiotropy, has been recognised for over 100 years. Pleiotropy is expected to underlie diverse biological phenomena, including evolution and age-related human diseases. Despite this, the contribut ....The contribution of pleiotropic mutation to genetic variation and evolution. This project aims to provide an in-depth characterization of pleiotropic effects across many traits, including fitness, in an outbred population of the fly, Drosophila serrata. The potential for one gene to affect many traits, pleiotropy, has been recognised for over 100 years. Pleiotropy is expected to underlie diverse biological phenomena, including evolution and age-related human diseases. Despite this, the contribution of pleiotropy to variation among individuals in appearance and in fitness remains poorly understood. By measuring the extent of pleiotropy and its fitness consequences, this project aims to advance understanding of how mutation and selection shape genetic variation and evolutionary potential in natural populations.Read moreRead less
Dissecting natural variation in sexually dimorphic gene expression. This project aims to understand the origins of sex differences by dissecting heritable variation in sexually dimorphic gene expression. Sexual dimorphism constitutes a large fraction of phenotypic diversity and arises mainly from sex differences in gene expression that permit males and females of a species to escape sexual conflict caused by a shared genome. The project uses multi-population quantitative genetics and allele-spec ....Dissecting natural variation in sexually dimorphic gene expression. This project aims to understand the origins of sex differences by dissecting heritable variation in sexually dimorphic gene expression. Sexual dimorphism constitutes a large fraction of phenotypic diversity and arises mainly from sex differences in gene expression that permit males and females of a species to escape sexual conflict caused by a shared genome. The project uses multi-population quantitative genetics and allele-specific expression assays to merge the studies of sex-specific local adaptation and sexually dimorphic regulatory variation. The project will help to understand how cis- and trans- regulatory factors can affect natural variation differently in males and females, shaping their phenotypic similarities and differences.Read moreRead less
Resolving genomic sexual conflicts via sexually dimorphic gene expression. Using powerful genomic technology this project aims to assess the strength of regulatory constraints between males and females and determine whether cis-regulatory mutations help to resolve them. Sex-differences in traits like morphology, behaviour and disease susceptibility often involve sex-differences in the regulation of gene expression. To achieve optimal performance, males and females must express their genes at dif ....Resolving genomic sexual conflicts via sexually dimorphic gene expression. Using powerful genomic technology this project aims to assess the strength of regulatory constraints between males and females and determine whether cis-regulatory mutations help to resolve them. Sex-differences in traits like morphology, behaviour and disease susceptibility often involve sex-differences in the regulation of gene expression. To achieve optimal performance, males and females must express their genes at different levels. Theory and data suggest that for some genes this is not possible, and that males and females could each achieve higher performance if gene regulation became genetically uncoupled between them. It has been suggested that cis-regulatory mutations may be important for resolving regulatory incompatibilities within the genome.Read moreRead less
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
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
Understanding phenotypes: contributions from studying mutations in a model organism. The distribution of fish across aquatic habitats will be determined jointly by the swimming speed and endurance requirements imposed by features of the environment, such as water flow, and by the swimming capacity of the fish. This project will use zebrafish to characterise how body shape and physiology interact to determine swimming capacity.
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