MULTIVARIATE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND THE LEK PARADOX. This research program as the potential to change the way evolutionary biologists view how selection changes the available patterns of genetic variance and covariance. In particular, it will highlight the possibility that a lack of genetic variance in multi-trait systems may be an important mechanism that limits the response to selection. It is therefore addresses a fundamental problem in quantitative genetics that underlies selection li ....MULTIVARIATE QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND THE LEK PARADOX. This research program as the potential to change the way evolutionary biologists view how selection changes the available patterns of genetic variance and covariance. In particular, it will highlight the possibility that a lack of genetic variance in multi-trait systems may be an important mechanism that limits the response to selection. It is therefore addresses a fundamental problem in quantitative genetics that underlies selection limits in evolution and agriculture.Read moreRead less
How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence ....How sexually antagonistic genes and sexual selection influence the evolution of the Y chromosome. Sexually antagonistic genes are beneficial to members of one sex, but costly to the other. They are of significance both to the coevolution between the sexes and the evolution of the sex chromosomes. We will measure the sexually antagonistic effects of genes that make male guppies sexually attractive. We will then study how these genes, and the process of sexual selection that favours them influence the process of recombination between the X and Y chromosomes.Read moreRead less
The mechanisms and fitness consequences of nongenetic inheritance. For many decades, it was assumed that parents influence the characteristics of their offspring almost exclusively through the genes that they transmit, and this assumption forms the basis of modern genetics and evolutionary theory. However, it is becoming increasing clear that parents can also influence their offspring in many other ways, and that such 'nongenetic inheritance' can allow for the transmission of environmental influ ....The mechanisms and fitness consequences of nongenetic inheritance. For many decades, it was assumed that parents influence the characteristics of their offspring almost exclusively through the genes that they transmit, and this assumption forms the basis of modern genetics and evolutionary theory. However, it is becoming increasing clear that parents can also influence their offspring in many other ways, and that such 'nongenetic inheritance' can allow for the transmission of environmental influences across generations. Accumulating evidence suggests that nongenetic inheritance plays a crucial role in heritable diseases, and theory suggests that it can influence evolution. Following up on intriguing preliminary findings, this project will investigate the mechanisms and consequences of nongenetic inheritance.Read moreRead less
The success and rapid evolution of invasive species: resolving a genetic paradox. Invasive species have an enormous economic impact on trade, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and eco-tourism in Australia. In order to negate such detrimental impacts, integrated strategies need to be formulated to effectively control and eradicate introduced species. Our limited knowledge of the factors underlying the success of invasive species has hampered such efforts. A detailed understanding of the invasio ....The success and rapid evolution of invasive species: resolving a genetic paradox. Invasive species have an enormous economic impact on trade, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and eco-tourism in Australia. In order to negate such detrimental impacts, integrated strategies need to be formulated to effectively control and eradicate introduced species. Our limited knowledge of the factors underlying the success of invasive species has hampered such efforts. A detailed understanding of the invasion dynamics of introduced species is essential for identifying potential weaknesses that can be exploited in management strategies. My research will examine the invasion dynamics of a successful invasive species, the delicate skink, providing information directly relevant to the management of introduced species in Australia.Read moreRead less
Genetic variation without sex: frequency-dependent selection and the maintenance of variation in asexual organisms. The proposed research will gain insight into one of the most fundamental yet puzzling questions in evolutionary biology and determine the generality of frequency-dependent selection as a mechanism for maintaining variation in asexual organisms. The results will have broad appeal, both internationally and nationally, and will also provide insight into why most species reproduce sexu ....Genetic variation without sex: frequency-dependent selection and the maintenance of variation in asexual organisms. The proposed research will gain insight into one of the most fundamental yet puzzling questions in evolutionary biology and determine the generality of frequency-dependent selection as a mechanism for maintaining variation in asexual organisms. The results will have broad appeal, both internationally and nationally, and will also provide insight into why most species reproduce sexually. The results will also help in the development of two asexual species as environmental indicators by linking clones with specific environmental changes. These indicator clones could then be adopted by natural resource managers to monitor environmental pollution and contamination.Read moreRead less
Convergent Evolution of Desert Lizards: Phylogenomic and Morphological Analyses of Limb Development. Evolutionary convergence, where similar traits evolve independently in multiple lineages, is a fundamental biological process, which affects many aspects of an organism's morphology. Despite its importance we don't understand what underlies the convergence we observe in nature - does convergence in genetic make-up underlie convergence in morphology? We will investigate whether similar hindlimb mo ....Convergent Evolution of Desert Lizards: Phylogenomic and Morphological Analyses of Limb Development. Evolutionary convergence, where similar traits evolve independently in multiple lineages, is a fundamental biological process, which affects many aspects of an organism's morphology. Despite its importance we don't understand what underlies the convergence we observe in nature - does convergence in genetic make-up underlie convergence in morphology? We will investigate whether similar hindlimb morphologies are determined by the same genetic mechanisms in iguanian lizards of Australia and North America. Our study will be the first of its kind in vertebrates and will provide significant information about the evolutionary link between an animal's morphology and its genetic make-up.Read moreRead less
The transcriptome, genome and metagenome of Acropora millepora: a model system for studying coral health and disease. Corals have an iconic significance for Australia, which has the best-preserved reef system in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is worth more than $6 billion per year to the Australian economy, and provides employment for 68000 people. The research will provide insights into the molecular bases of stress and disease in corals and the internal mechanisms by which corals attempt to ....The transcriptome, genome and metagenome of Acropora millepora: a model system for studying coral health and disease. Corals have an iconic significance for Australia, which has the best-preserved reef system in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is worth more than $6 billion per year to the Australian economy, and provides employment for 68000 people. The research will provide insights into the molecular bases of stress and disease in corals and the internal mechanisms by which corals attempt to combat them. The results will allow the design of strategies for better reef management, resulting in economic, environmental and social benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Genetical Genomics of Mutational Variance. Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation. Understanding the nature of mutation, its frequency, the distribution of effects, and the forces of selection that remove mutational load from populations is therefore a central concern of genetics. The accumulation of mutational load both in endangered species and human populations, where the natural forces of selection tend not to operate, has the potential to create serious problems in these p ....Genetical Genomics of Mutational Variance. Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation. Understanding the nature of mutation, its frequency, the distribution of effects, and the forces of selection that remove mutational load from populations is therefore a central concern of genetics. The accumulation of mutational load both in endangered species and human populations, where the natural forces of selection tend not to operate, has the potential to create serious problems in these populations. The goal is to understand what types of mutations are targeted by selection at the gene expression level and why.Read moreRead less
The Geometry of Genetic Limits to Evolutionary Change. Genetic limits to evolutionary change are a fundamental issue for plant and animal improvement, as well as understanding how natural populations may respond to human-induced changes such as habitat degradation and climate change. Because we still know very little about how genetic variation is distributed among the multiple traits that are likely to respond to selection in such circumstances, we have no way of directly measuring the evoluti ....The Geometry of Genetic Limits to Evolutionary Change. Genetic limits to evolutionary change are a fundamental issue for plant and animal improvement, as well as understanding how natural populations may respond to human-induced changes such as habitat degradation and climate change. Because we still know very little about how genetic variation is distributed among the multiple traits that are likely to respond to selection in such circumstances, we have no way of directly measuring the evolutionary potential of any natural population. In this proposal, we develop the theory, statistical tools, and experimental designs to investigate the nature and prevalence of these multivariate genetic constraints.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary venomics: Venom system diversification in the animal kingdom. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from the Australian toxic fauna. This will be achieved through the researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution has practical implications for the treatment of envenomations - an enormous problem in Australia - as well as great pot ....Evolutionary venomics: Venom system diversification in the animal kingdom. This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity for biodiscovery from the Australian toxic fauna. This will be achieved through the researcher's unique approach of investigating previously unmapped venom systems for divergent, bioactive proteins. An understanding of venomous animal protein evolution has practical implications for the treatment of envenomations - an enormous problem in Australia - as well as great potential in drug discovery and other commercial applications. This project will provide Australian graduate and post-graduate students with finely tuned skills in cutting edge methodological techniques and a fluent understanding of molecular evolution, preparing them to be internationally competitive scientists.Read moreRead less