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Progressive evolution in dance fly mating systems

Reference	G14497
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Michael Ritchie
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Leon Hockham, Professor Karim Vahed, Professor Alfried Vogler
Institution	University of St Andrews
Department	Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	148,996
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/02/2001
End date	01/02/2004
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The evolution of dance fly mating systems is regarded as a textbook example of an evolutionary progression towards ritualised courtship acts. However, no independent phylogeny has been produced to demonstrate that the stages represent a true evolutionary sequence. Aspects of sexual conflict, sperm competition and sex role reversal suggest that hypotheses other than ritualisation may explain the changes in courtship behaviours. We propose developing a DNA sequence based phylogeny and compiling data on behaviour, morphology, physiology and ecology to test the 'progressive evolution' model of dance fly courtship behaviours, against alternative hypotheses.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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