DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The origin and evolution of a sexually selected trait

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Some organisms exhibit traits that seem likely to hinder their survival, such as bright colors or elaborate tails or fins. Counterintuitively, these traits can actually facilitate an organism?s success because they can increase their ability to find mates. In swordtail fish, males have evolved an elongated fin, or ?sword? that helps them attract mates. Females of many swordtail species prefer males with the sword ornament, but females of one species have evolved a disdain of the sword. This project will investigate which genes are responsible for producing the sword ornament. Once the genes responsible for producing a trait are identified, population genetic methods can be used to determine the strength of selection on these genes in different species. This project will also test hypotheses about when and how the sword originated. Understanding the genetic basis of traits and the strength of selection on these traits is important in a number of biological fields including evolutionary biology and biomedical research. In addition, this project will collaborate with the Princeton Prison Teaching Initiative to bring ongoing research into the classroom and give students hands-on experience with data analysis and interpretation. This grant will also support the development of educational resources for K-12 instructors to help students learn about genetic and evolutionary processes.