Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00734

Sexual conflict and speciation in birds: A test.

Principal Investigator:: Professor T Birkhead, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
Grant held at:: University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences

Abstract:: The aim of this study is to understand the evolution of post-mating reproductive barriers between bird species. The study will exploit a specific but unique situation: it is well-known to bird-keepers that interspecific hybrids can be created using a female bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula and canary Serinus canaria, but not using a male bullfinch and female canary. In all other common finches hybrids can be created equally easily with parent species of either sex. The unusual situation in the bullfinch provides an excellent opportunity to identify the mechanism(s) of post-mating isolation. We predict that sperm morphology, which we have shown to be unique in the bullfinch, makes bullfinch's sperm less likely to be transported and/or accepted by the female canary reproductive tract than are canary sperm into the bullfinch female reproductive tract. We will conduct a series of experiments to establish at which point in the female tract the bullfinch sperm fail. Post-mating isolation in birds is likely to be important in speciation and this study provides a unique opportunity to identify mechanisms of reproductive isolation, with important implications for several different areas of biology.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £30,780

Total - Staff	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£16,986	£5,981	£7,813

If you need further help, please read the user guide.