Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/J020818/1
Does the fruitless gene influence species-specific variation in mating behaviour?
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor M Ritchie, University of St Andrews, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of St Andrews, Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Evolution & populations
- Speciation
- Evolution & populations
- Abstract:
- Genes responsible for variation in species-specific mating signals may be important to speciation and biodiversity because evolutionary divergence in these loci can play a role in promoting sexual isolation and decreasing gene flow between natural populations of diverging species. Identifying and studying the divergence of such genes is a key priority of contemporary evolutionary genetics. In a series of QTL studies of divergence of song traits between and within species of the fruit fly Drosophila, the gene fruitless (fru) has been implicated in the control of variation in this classic trait. Much is known about the structure and function of this gene in controlling song production in D. melanogaster, but little if anything about its role in influencing natural variation in song. We propose a) developing a combination of advanced 'gene swap' techniques to move exons of the gene from a range of species into D. melanogaster b) studies of the molecular evolution of fru within and between natural populations and species c) association analysis of variation in fru and traits in natural populations and d) examination of the evolution of regulatory regions to assess in detail the role of fru in natural variation at multiple levels. This will represent a uniquely detailed examination of the evolution of a candidate locus for a complex behavioural trait.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Dec 2012 - 31 May 2016
- Value:
- £331,764 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/J020818/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £331,764
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff | DI - T&S | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £26,839 | £106,464 | £25,344 | £31,549 | £101,101 | £10,102 | £30,366 |
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