Institute of Evolutionary Biology

Abstract The analysis of genetic diversity within and between populations is a routine task in the study of diploid organisms. However, population genetic studies of polyploid organisms have been hampered by difficulties associated with scoring and interpreting molecular data. This occurs because the presence of multiple alleles at each locus often precludes the measurement of genotype or allele frequencies. In allopolyploids, the problem is compounded because genetically distinct isoloci frequently share alleles.

ABSTRACT The Mercurialis annua L.(Euphorbiaceae) species complex comprises a group of closely related lineages that present a wide range of sexual-systems, making it a valuable model for the study of plant sexual-system evolution. Within this polyploid complex, diploid populations are dioecious, and polyploid populations either monoecious or androdioecious (males coexist with functional hermaphrodites).

Abstract The Red Queen hypothesis proposes that frequency-dependent selection by parasites may be responsible for the evolutionary maintenance of sexual reproduction. We sought to determine whether parasites could be responsible for variation in the occurrence of sexual reproduction in 21 populations of Daphnia pulex (Crustacea; Cladocera) that previous studies have shown to consist of either cyclical parthenogens, obligate parthenogens, or a mixture of both.

The use of the term 'metapopulation'has broadened substantially since its inception to include, for example, subdivided populations that are not necessarily prone to local extinction, and populations with a locally patchy distribution that are not clearly subdivided into discrete demes. This broadened scope has coincided with an exponential increase in the number of articles applying the term (Hanski & Simberloff 1997; Pannell & Charlesworth 2000), but it has arguably come at a cost of precision.

Despite theoretical predictions, dishonest signalling has rarely been observed in aggressive interactions. We present evidence of such signalling in the nonpollinating fig wasp Philotrypesis sp. A ex Ficus rubiginosa. First, morphometric data indicated that an alternative 'atypical'male morph (17.8% of individuals) exists that tends to be larger in body size and has longer mandibles for a given body size than other 'typical'males.

Abstract Anopheles mosquitoes are the primary vectors for malaria in Africa, transmitting the disease to more than 100 million people annually. Recent functional studies have revealed mosquito genes that are crucial for Plasmodium development, but there is presently little understanding of which genes mediate vector competence in the wild, or evolve in response to parasite-mediated selection.

Background Understanding which parts of the genome have been most influenced by adaptive evolution remains an unsolved puzzle. Some evidence suggests that selection has the greatest impact on regions of the genome that interact with other evolving genomes, including loci that are involved in host-parasite co-evolutionary processes.

Background Over the last 6 decades, rodent Plasmodium species have become key model systems for understanding the basic biology of malaria parasites. Cell and molecular parasitology have made much progress in identifying genes underpinning interactions between malaria parasites, hosts, and vectors.