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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Fruitless Gene Influences Female Mate Preference In Drosophila, Tabashir A. Chowdhury
The Fruitless Gene Influences Female Mate Preference In Drosophila, Tabashir A. Chowdhury
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Species can arise as a result of reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow between diverging populations that force them to remain isolated from one another. Behavioural isolation is one of the earliest acting reproductive barriers determined by the evolution of mating preferences that prevent inter-specific matings. Several traits have been identified that contribute to behavioural isolation, but the genetic basis of interspecific female preference is yet to be determined. I used genetic mapping techniques to identify and confirm that the fruitless gene is affecting species-specific female rejection of interspecies males, contributing to the behavioural isolation between Drosophila melanogaster and D. …
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
The Genetic And Environmental Basis For Chc Biosynthesis In Drosophila, Heather Ke Ward
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are produced by insects and primarily used to prevent desiccation. In Drosophila, certain compounds have secondary roles as infochemicals that may act during courtship to influence mate choice. Certain CHCs may stimulate courtship with heterospecifics or act to repel conspecifics. The CHC profile produced by an individual is the result of the interaction between its genetic background and the environment, though the genes that underlie species differences in CHC production and how the environment can modulate the abundance of individual compounds within a species is not well known. Here, candidate gene CG5946 was found to be …
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Cellular/Molecular Analysis Of Interspecies Sterile Male Hybrids In Drosophila, Rachelle L. Kanippayoor
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Over time, genetic differences can accumulate between populations that are geographically separated. This genetic divergence can lead to the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that reduce gene flow between the populations and, upon secondary contact, result in distinct species. The process of speciation is, thus, what accounts for the multitude of species that contribute to the rich biodiversity on Earth. Interspecies hybrid sterility is a postzygotic isolating mechanism that affects the development of hybrids, rendering them sterile. A notable trend, known as Haldane's Rule, describes that heterogametic individual (e.g. males in Drosophila) are more susceptible to sterility than homogametic …
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Genetics Of Female Interspecific Mate Rejection In Species Of Drosophila, Ryan Calhoun
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Speciation can occur when accumulated differences in mating behavior force diverging species to remain reproductively isolated from one another. A key determinant of behavioural isolation is the evolution of female mating preferences that prevent interspecific males from mating. However, no individual genes involved in species-specific preferences of females have yet been identified. Using various genetic mapping techniques available for studying strains and species of Drosophila, I identify candidate genes involved in D. simulans female discrimination against D. melanogaster males. One candidate gene in particular, Katanin-60, was selected for further characterization. Katanin-60 is a gene encoding a microtubule severing …
Evaluating The Rapid Divergence Of Male Genitalia In Sibling Drosophila Species, Helene M. Levasseur-Viens
Evaluating The Rapid Divergence Of Male Genitalia In Sibling Drosophila Species, Helene M. Levasseur-Viens
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The rapid divergence of male genitalia in a variety of animal groups is a well documented phenomenon for which there exists no universal explanation. The three prevalent hypotheses for the divergence of genitalia, the lock and key, pleiotropy and sexual selection, have all been tested in individual model organisms, but never have individual experiments been performed in one species pair to allow for direct comparison. Drosophila simulans and D. mauritiana have long been thought to be an example of the sensory lock and key model, but no concrete data has ever been presented to verify the validity of the model. …