Our research is focused on illuminating the role of genomic parasites in generating intragenomic conflict by elucidating the consequences for mating systems, the evolution of new traits, the emergence of biological novelty, and population survival.
We pose our questions in the context of intensive insecticide use in agriculture and environmental stresses driven by climate change.
Selfish genetic elements and sexual selection
Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) such as transposable elements, segregation distorters, and maternally inherited symbionts are found in all organisms and can cause reproductive incompatibilities, feminisation, and male deaths that distort the sex ratio. Females may mate multiple times to promote sperm competition and avoid fertilisation by SGE-carrying sperm. We examine the impact of SGEs on male fertility in flies and the impact of sex-ratio-distorting endosymbionts on the expression of male sexually selected traits in butterflies.
Sexually antagonistic (SA) alleles
Genetic variation in wild populations is higher than expected. How such variation is maintained is a key question in evolutionary biology. Sexually antagonistic (SA) alleles are genes expressed in both sexes that are advantageous to one sex but detrimental to the other. We study SA alleles in butterflies, moths, and flies. In fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), a transposable element (TE) inserted into the metabolic gene (Cyp6g1) confers insecticide resistance and increases female fecundity, but can decrease male mating success and alter male aggression. TE insertions and Cyp6g1 duplications are associated with sex differences in resistance. We investigate the impact of multiple TE insertions on resistance evolution and their potential SA effects. We also interrogate the molecular mechanisms responsible for SA, trying to understand how the same allele can lead to contrasting sexual effects between males and females. While examining the importance of these elements as evolutionary forces we also investigate their effect considering anthropomorphic, abiotic, and biotic factors that pose a threat to insect populations, such as insecticide usage and climate change.
Hidden conflict between sexes maintains genetic diversity
Contact
For enquiries, please email Prof Nina Wedell - nina.wedell@unimelb.edu.au