Research Seminar - Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

HIE SEMINAR – Thursday 20 September 2012

–Who: Professor Mark Blows, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland
–Title: Evolution of genetic variance under selection
–When: 3pm, Thursday 20 September
–Where: Lecture Theatre G.21, Building L9, Hawkesbury Campus, UWS

Seminar abstract - Determining how the genetic variance evolves under selection in the presence of widespread pleiotropy is a fundamental issue that is ultimately related to the question of how genetic variance is maintained in populations. The study of sexually-selected traits is particularly useful here as male sexually-selected traits are often relatively easy to identify and selection generated by mate choice can be readily quantified. At the same time, sexually-selected traits are often postulated to be subject to natural selection, either through pleiotropic associations with condition and other fitness components, or as a consequence of selection on mate recognition generated by the presence of other species. In a series of experiments using Drosophila serrata as a model, we have investigated the relationship between selection and genetic variance in a multivariate set of contact pheromones. While directional sexual selection is associated with very low levels of genetic variance in natural populations of this species, the genetic variance in these traits can rapidly evolve, increasing dramatically as males are selected for higher attractiveness. However, it is the pleiotropic associations between the sexually-selected traits and other (unmeasured) traits under natural selection that have been revealed to play the key role in limiting the response to sexual selection, and the maintenance of multivariate genetic variance in traits under sexual selection.

Further information on Professor Blows can be found via: http://www.biology.uq.edu.au/staff/mark-blows

Professor Blows is being hosted by Dr Paul Rymer. Please contact Paul (email p.rymer@uws.edu.au or phone 4570 1094) if you would like to meet with Prof Blows as he will be here for a few days to allow him to see the HIE facilities, and meet with postgraduates and academics (available Wed afternoon, Thursday, and Friday morning).

Further information about the HIE Seminar series and committee can be accessed via: http://www.uws.edu.au/hie/events_and_seminars

No RSVP is required, we hope to see you all there