The overall objective of the proposed research is to understand the role of population structure in the evolution of a species. Population structure is the way in which breeding individuals are distributed within and among demes and their pattern of movement among demes. Population subdivision has both ecological and genetic consequences. The genetic effects of random genetic drift can result in the genetic differentiation of an array of local demes. The rate and degree of genetic differentiation depend on the numbers of locally breeding adults and the amount and pattern of dispersion among locals demes. the ecological effects of subdivision influence the process of selection within and among demes. The ecological and genetic effects interact to determine the relative importance of intra and interdemic selection to the overall evolution of the species. We are combining experimental studies, using laboratory populations of flour beetles (genus Tribolium), with theoretical models of the relevant genetic phenomena to investigate those kinds of population structures that are likely to have important evolutionary consequences for a species. Evolution is structured population is the central feature of Wright's Shifting Balance Theory of Evolution, one of the most comprehensive theories of genetics and evolution. The proposed research will provide an experimental foundation for Wright's theory with special emphasis on the role of gene interactions in the """"""""interdemic-phase"""""""" of adaptive evolution.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM022523-18
Application #
3271183
Study Section
Mammalian Genetics Study Section (MGN)
Project Start
1976-06-01
Project End
1995-08-31
Budget Start
1993-09-01
Budget End
1994-08-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
1993
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
Wade, M J; Johnson, N A; Jones, R et al. (1997) Genetic variation segregating in natural populations of Tribolium castaneum affecting traits observed in hybrids with T. freemani. Genetics 147:1235-47
Chang, N W; Wade, M J (1996) An improved microinjection protocol for the transfer of Wolbachia pipientis between infected and uninfected strains of the flour beetle Tribolium confusum. Can J Microbiol 42:711-4
Kelly, J K; Noor, M A (1996) Speciation by reinforcement: a model derived from studies of Drosophila. Genetics 143:1485-97
Johnson, N A; Wade, M J (1995) Conditions for soft selection favoring the evolution of hybrid inviability. J Theor Biol 176:493-9
Wade, M J; Chang, N W; McNaughton, M (1995) Incipient speciation in the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum: premating isolation between natural populations. Heredity 75 ( Pt 5):453-9
Wade, M J; Beeman, R W (1994) The population dynamics of maternal-effect selfish genes. Genetics 138:1309-14
Wade, M J; Patterson, H; Chang, N W et al. (1994) Postcopulatory, prezygotic isolation in flour beetles. Heredity 72 ( Pt 2):163-7
Wade, M J; Stevens, L (1994) The effect of population subdivision on the rate of spread of parasite-mediated cytoplasmic incompatibility. J Theor Biol 167:81-7
Robinson, T; Johnson, N A; Wade, M J (1994) Postcopulatory, prezygotic isolation: intraspecific and interspecific sperm precedence in Tribolium spp., flour beetles. Heredity 73 ( Pt 2):155-9
Wade, M J; Johnson, N A; Wardle, G (1994) Analysis of autosomal polygenic variation for the expression of Haldane's rule in flour beetles. Genetics 138:791-9

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