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FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

Signal evolution: adaptation and constraint

Tildelt: kr 4,8 mill.

Prosjektnummer:

171024

Søknadstype:

Prosjektperiode:

2006 - 2009

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Geografi:

A central challenge in evolutionary biology is to understand what determines the reliability and flexibility of animal signals. We investigate signal evolution and signal discrimination in two contexts, mate choice and mimicry, with focus on how adaptatio n is affected by learning, plasticity, variability, and evolvability. In each project we will use a mixture of theoretical and empirical methods. In one part of the project we ask how females should search for males in a hybrid zone, where different male sexual traits convey conflicting information about species identity and mate quality. The empirical setup on flycatchers allows for very detailed data to be recorded about the mate-search strategy used by each female. In another part of the project, we st udy optimal attack strategies for predators foraging on a Batesian mimic-model complex, using both optimality theory and learning experiments on great tits. Game-theoretical models will be developed to investigate aspects of mimicry and recognition in avi an brood parasitism. In each system, we study how learning affects discrimination and decision-making, as well as the interaction between learned and innate components of discrimination. In the mate-search context, we study how females update their prefer ences during a search. Models will be developed to investigate whether learning and plasticity facilitates or buffers evolution, including whether imprinting facilitates reinforcement of mate preferences in hybrid zones. Finally, we will study the role of genetic architecture and evolvability (capacity to evolve) in coevolutionary arms races, as exemplified by the coevolution of a Batesian mimic and its unpalatable model species. To this end we will apply a recently developed population-genetical model fr amework to study the evolution of evolvability and the effects of pleiotropy and epistasis on evolvability.

Budsjettformål:

FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

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