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Abstract
The evolution of animal genitalia has gained renewed interest because of their potential roles during sexual selection and early stages of species formation. Although central to understanding the evolutionary process, knowledge of the genetic basis of natural variation in genital morphology is limited to a very few species. Using an outbred cross between phylogenetically distinct lines of Drosophila montana, we characterized quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the size and shape of the distiphallus, a prominent part of the male intromittent organ. Our microsatellite-based linkage analysis shows that intra-specific variation in the distiphallus involves several QTLs of largely additive effect and that a highly significant QTL co-localizes with the same inversion where we have earlier localized a large QTL for a sexually selected courtship song trait. The latter indicates that inversions can play an important role in shaping the evolution of rapidly evolving traits with a potential influence on speciation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1879-1886 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Evolutionary Biology |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2011 |
Keywords
- chromosomal rearrangements
- courtship
- inversions
- mate choice
- pleiotropy
- sexual selection
- speciation
- SEXUAL SELECTION
- ANIMAL GENITALIA
- GENETIC-ANALYSIS
- REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION
- SHAPE DIFFERENCE
- COURTSHIP SONG
- EVOLUTION
- SPECIATION
- SIMULANS
- RECOMBINATION
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Dive into the research topics of 'Multiple quantitative trait loci influence intra-specific variation in genital morphology between phylogenetically distinct lines of Drosophila montana'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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QTLs & candidate genes NE/E015255/1: QTLs and candidate genes for behaviour in natural populations
Ritchie, M. G. (PI)
1/03/08 → 30/06/11
Project: Standard