Sexual conflict can potentially lead to sexually antagonistic coevolution (SAC), commonly described as """"""""arms races"""""""" between male and female reproductive traits that arise as each sex attempts to maximize its fitness at a cost to the other sex. Recently, many studies have attributed the rapid evolution of male reproductive genes in a diversity of taxa to reproductive conflict. However, to determine """"""""sexual conflict genes,"""""""" the influences of other reproductive processes must be taken into account. This task has traditionally been difficult because reproductive trait evolution has generally been examined only in gonochoristic species that contain both males and females without comparison with closely-related non-gonochoristic species. Furthermore, though SAC requires participation from male and female reproductive components, efforts discerning female contribution have lagged far behind, with only a few female receptors to male-transferred proteins identified. Here, we propose to exploit the genomic and molecular biology tools available in four species of the worm genus Caenorhabditis that differ in mating systems to test the effects of SAC on gene evolution. The data generated here will form the basis for future functional studies. These comprehensive studies may represent one of the first to address the influences of SAC on gene evolution and function in multiple species on a genome-wide scale. Nematodes are highly speciose and are distributed worldwide, impacting human populations not only through their infection of agricultural products but also through direct infection of human beings. The WHO estimated that at least two billion people worldwide suffer from nematode infections, with approximately one billion suffering from intestinal nematode infections alone. As some of the most well studied species in Nematoda, the species of Caenorhabditis represent valuable models that may provide insight on this medically important phylum. The research training plan that we have described in this submission will greatly enhance the applicant

Public Health Relevance

We propose to examine evolution of reproductive traits in the nematode genus Caenorhabditis. Nematodes are highly speciose and are distributed worldwide, impacting human populations not only through their infection of agricultural products but also through direct infection of human beings;the World Health Organization estimates that at least two billion people worldwide suffer from nematode infections. As some of the most well studied species in Nematoda, the species of Caenorhabditis represent valuable models that may provide insight on this medically important phylum.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD065442-02
Application #
8476939
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08-E (20))
Program Officer
Taymans, Susan
Project Start
2011-03-01
Project End
2012-10-31
Budget Start
2012-06-01
Budget End
2012-10-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$22,533
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041968306
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
Noble, Luke M; Chang, Audrey S; McNelis, Daniel et al. (2015) Natural Variation in plep-1 Causes Male-Male Copulatory Behavior in C. elegans. Curr Biol 25:2730-7