Hybridization, polyploidy and the evolution of parthenogenesis in the Australian desert

该项目考虑了澳大利亚孤雌生殖动物的生态和进化，即无性繁殖。这些动物长期以来一直吸引着进化生物学家，因为它们提供了关于性在进化中的作用的线索。澳大利亚沙漠是孤雌生殖的热点地区，为研究有利于性丧失的生态和进化力量提供了一个独特的机会。我们的研究将利用澳大利亚孤雌生殖的案例来了解与向孤雌生殖过渡相关的遗传变化如何影响生态成功。这将极大地扩展我们对性在进化中的作用以及澳大利亚干旱地区进化史的理解。

This project considers the ecology and evolution of Australian animals that reproduce by parthenogenesis, i.e. without sex. These animals have long fascinated evolutionary biologists for the clues they provide about the role of sex in evolution. The Australian desert is a hot-spot for parthenogenesis, providing a unique opportunity to study the ecological and evolutionary forces favouring the loss of sex. Our research will exploit Australian cases of parthenogenesis to understand how genetic changes associated with the transition to parthenogenesis affect ecological success. This will significantly extend our understanding of both the role of sex in evolution, and of the evolutionary history of the Australian arid zone.