The purpose of this work is to reveal the numbers, effects, and locations of genes causing morphological differences and reproductive isolation among closely related species of Drosophila. Our long-term goal is to understand the process of speciation through the genetic patterns of species differences. Using classical genetic analysis within three well-characterized groups of Drosophila, we will address these questions: 1. Are morphological and behavioral differences among species, and postzygotic reproductive isolation in hybrids, polygenic or due to one or two loci of large effect? 2. Do sex chromosomes play a disproportionate role in the evolution of hybrid sterility and inviability? 3. Does postzygotic isolation occur in a consistent pattern, with the initial evolution of X-chromosomal male sterility and inviability followed by similar anomalies in females? 4. Is the genetic basis of reproductive isolation similar in males and females? 5. Are differences between members of related species pairs within a group caused by similar genetic architectures? 6. Are unusual genetic changes associated with island speciation events? Because a phylogeny of four species in the D. melanogaster group is critical in interpreting our genetic data, we will also perform a phylogenetic study using DNA restriction mapping of at least six sequenced loci in these species. Our data should help distinguish among current theories of speciation and lead to the construction of new ones. The results may also be relevant to understanding the origin of species in many animal groups, including humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM038462-02
Application #
3294891
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Project Start
1987-07-01
Project End
1990-06-30
Budget Start
1988-07-01
Budget End
1989-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
225410919
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Coyne, J A; Berry, A (1994) Effects of the fourth chromosome on the sterility of hybrids between Drosophila simulans and its relatives. J Hered 85:224-7
Coyne, J A; Crittenden, A P; Mah, K (1994) Genetics of a pheromonal difference contributing to reproductive isolation in Drosophila. Science 265:1461-4
Coyne, J A; Meyers, W; Crittenden, A P et al. (1993) The fertility effects of pericentric inversions in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 134:487-96
Orr, H A (1992) Mapping and characterization of a 'speciation gene' in Drosophila. Genet Res 59:73-80
Coyne, J A (1992) Genetics of sexual isolation in females of the Drosophila simulans species complex. Genet Res 60:25-31
Orr, H A (1991) A test of Fisher's theory of dominance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 88:11413-5
Anderson, W W; Arnold, J; Baldwin, D G et al. (1991) Four decades of inversion polymorphism in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 88:10367-71
Coyne, J A; Aulard, S; Berry, A (1991) Lack of underdominance in a naturally occurring pericentric inversion in Drosophila melanogaster and its implications for chromosome evolution. Genetics 129:791-802
Orr, H A (1990) Developmental anomalies in Drosophila hybrids are apparently caused by loss of microchromosome. Heredity 64 ( Pt 2):255-62
Coyne, J A (1989) Mutation rates in hybrids between sibling species of Drosophila. Heredity 63 ( Pt 2):155-62

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