Collaborative Research: The Genetics of Postmating, Prezygotic Isolation

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Research over the past 20 years has shown that trait differences acting after copulationbut before the fusion of sperm and egg nuclei, often termed postmating, prezygotic traitdifferences, play a primary role in reducing gene exchange between populations withina species and between closely related species. The genetic basis of these traitdifferences is poorly understood and thus, constitutes the primary goal of Marshall andHoward's research plan. Specifically, the proposed research focuses on identifying theseminal fluid and sperm proteins that differ, whether in abundance or structure, betweenclosely related ground cricket species that are isolated by postmating, prezygotic traitdifferences. Once identified, gene silencing technology will be used to evaluate thefunction of each protein and its influence on preventing or reducing fertilization betweenspecies.Barriers to fertilization have been intensively studied in the Allonemobius sociuscomplex of crickets, providing an excellent model for evaluating the genes and proteinsthat underlie successful fertilization. Understanding the genetic basis of fertilizationincompatibilities between populations and species can provide insight into a wide-rangeof topics, including the development of infertility within species (including humans) andthe role of sexual selection and sexual conflict in driving the divergence of fertilizationproteins. The project provides training for undergraduate and graduate students andoutreach to K-12 schools.