Abstract
Meiotic drivers are selfish genetic elements that disrupt normal gamete production. We are studying sex-ratio (SR) an X-linked drive system in stalk-eyed flies. SR gains a transmission advantage through the destruction of Y-bearing sperm, but causes a deficit in the fertility of carrier males, as half their sperm are lost. You will investigate: a) whether drive cause population extinction, b) adaptive and maladaptive genomic changes in the drive chromosome, and c) develop theory to explain the frequency of meiotic drive in natural populations. The results will be used to assess “gene drive” technology for vector control.
References
Cotton AJ, Földvári M, Cotton S, Pomiankowski A 2014. Male eyespan size is associated with meiotic drive in wild stalk-eyed flies (Teleopsis dalmanni). Heredity 112, 363-369.
Tazzyman, S. J., Pizzari, T., Seymour, R. M. and Pomiankowski, A. 2009 The evolution of continuous variation in ejaculate expenditure strategy. American Naturalist, 174, E71-E82.
Cotton, A. J., Small, J., Cotton, S. and Pomiankowski, A. 2015 Male mate preference for female eyespan and fecundity in the stalk-eyed fly, Teleopsis dalmanni. Behavioural Ecology 26, 376-385.
Meade, L., Finnegan, S., Kad, R., Fowler, K. and Pomiankowski, A. 2018 Adaptive maintenance of fertility in the face of meiotic drive. American Naturalist submitted.