Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C510659/1
Signals of genetic quality in a genetically heritable social environment.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor JB Wolf, The University of Manchester, Life Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr NJ Royle, University of Exeter, Ecology and Conservation
- Grant held at:
- The University of Manchester, Life Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- One of the fundamental, unresolved questions in evolutionary biology is how genetic variation can be maintained in traits that are under constant selection. This has been an evolutionary conundrum because one would expect that constant selection would remove genetic variation from a population. However, it is an empirical fact that most traits show significant genetic variation in the face of constant selection. This question is considered particularly important for traits that are the target of mate choice, where females provide a constant force of selection by choosing males based on some secondary sexual character. One possible explanation for why traits that are the target of mate choice retain genetic variation is that the expression of these traits depends on the overall condition of the individual (such traits are said to show 'condition dependent' expression). For a number of reasons we expected that condition will show a great deal of genetic variation and as a result, condition dependent traits are expected to reflect this genetic variation in condition. In this study, we will examine the role that competitive interactions between individuals during development play in producing variation in condition and thereby, producing variation in condition dependent traits that are the target of mate choice. Traits that are affected by social interactions show very different evolutionary dynamics than 'ordinary' traits and evolutionary genetic models suggest that these traits may be particularly interesting with respect to patterns of genetic variation present in populations. Using the stalk-eyed fly, Cyrtodiopsis dalmani as a model system, we will utilize a statistical genetic model to estimate the relative importance of social interactions in producing genetic variation in male eye-span, which is the target of female preference and which has been shown to have condition dependent expression.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C510659/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £270,188
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £142,906 | £3,149 | £39,357 | £19,039 | £65,737 |
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