About the Project
Divergence in pheromone detection and production are key aspects of sexual isolation in many insect groups. Studies of a range of systems insect systems have identified gees of key importance in both pheromone production and perception. We now have a firm understanding of candidate genes in both the detection of key pheromones and their production. Remarkably, some studies suggest that in some cases the same gene can influence both pheromone detection and production in fly species. Theoretical…
and empirical work suggest such “genetic coupling” of genes influencing traits could greatly facilitate rapid speciation, but convincing studies are rare.
The MGR and NWB laboratories at St Andrews are completing comparative studies of the genetics of isolation in a group of cricket species, Teleogryllus, involving resequencing genomes of several species. While most studies of behavioural divergence in crickets focus on song-preference evolution, we have demonstrated that pheromones are also critically important in some systems.
We are seeking a PhD student who will use the new data to examine the evolution of gene families involves in pheromone (cuticular hydrocarbon) divergence and detection. In particular, the student will focus on the desaturase and elongase gene families for pheromones and olfactory and gustatory receptor gene families for detection. Key loci can be determined by sequence analysis, testing models of selective divergence, and by using tissue specific transcriptomics. An exciting avenue we are keen to adopt is the development of RNAi methods to knock down candidate genes and test effects on pheromone production and mate choice, to identify key loci and any pleiotropic effects.
The student will obtain training in evolutionary and functional genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural ecology and speciation biology.
HOW TO APPLY
Application instructions can be found on the EASTBIO website- How to Apply | EastBio Doctoral Training Partnership | Biology
- Download and complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey.
- Download and complete the EASTBIO Application Form.
- Please complete an application on our online portal: How to apply - Study at St Andrews - University of St Andrews
- Select the course ‘PhD with internship’
- Your online application must include the following documents:
- Completed EASTBIO application form
- Academic Qualifications
- English Language Qualification (if applicable)
- 2 References: this must be completed on the EASTBIO Reference Form, also found on the EASTBIO website.
Please download the EASTBIO reference form and send it to your referees. They can either upload it directly to the portal using the automated email they will receive, or they can email it to Rachel at pgrecbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk
CONTACT
Queries on the project can be directed to the project supervisor.
Queries on the application process can be directed to Rachel Horn at pgrecbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk
UKRI eligibility guidance: Terms and Conditions: View Website International/EU: View Website
Funding Notes
This 4 year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
This opportunity is open to UK and International students and provides funding to cover stipend at UKRI standard rate and UK level tuition fees. The University of St Andrews will cover the Home-International fee difference.
References
Key references
Chung, H. & Carroll, S. B. 2015. Wax, sex and the origin of species: Dual roles of insect cuticular hydrocarbons in adaptation and mating. Bioessays 37: 822-830. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201500014
Ritchie, M. G. & Butlin, R. K. 2024. Genetic coupling of mate recognition systems in the genomic era. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology 16(4) 10.1101/cshperspect.a041437.
Moran, P., Hunt, J., Mitchell, C., Ritchie, M. G. & Bailey, N. W. 2019. Behavioural mechanisms of sexual isolation involving multiple modalities and their inheritance. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 32: 243-258 https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pp1d41n
Keays, M. C., Barker, D., Wicker-Thomas, C. & Ritchie, M. G. 2011. Signatures of selection and sex-specific expression variation of a novel duplicate during the evolution of the Drosophila desaturase gene family. Molecular Ecology 20: 3617-3630. 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05208.x.