How do genetic correlations evolve?
I am working on identifying the effects of genetic constraints on adaptive evolution, as well as how genetic covariances change and shape evolutionary trajectories. We are using a system where reinforcement likely completed speciation between sister species of mushroom feeding flies, Drosophila subquinaria and D. recens. Reinforcement has additionally led to reproductive character displacement in mate preference and pheromone cue traits between sympatric and allopatric populations of one of the species, D. subquinaria. Using a quantitative genetic approach we are going to investigate how genetic covariances among pheromone cue traits have diverged between allopatric and sympatric populations, and estimate the effects of genetic constraints on adaptive divergence.
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MSc ResearchMy MSc research focused on understanding contemporary evolutionary processes and their ecological context in natural populations. Some of my past work includes assessing assortative mating in a population of pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) that has diverged to occupy two different lake habitats; littoral (nearshore) and pelagic (open water). To better understand gene flow in this population we undertook a one year mark recapture study to get a clear picture of movement patterns. We found that movement between lake habitats was limited, which may be sufficient to facilitate further adaptive divergence.
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