EvoLunch Seminar: Tanja Schwander (University of Lausanne)
EvoLunch Seminar
Evolutionary consequences of unorthodox reproductive modes: Insights from stick insects
"Evolutionary consequences of unorthodox reproductive modes: Insights from stick insects"
11:00 CET
Mondi 2ab, Central Building, ISTA
Hybrid Meeting (for zoom link, email evolunch.seminar@ist.ac.at)
Abstract
Reproduction is a defining feature of life, yet the strategies organisms use to reproduce are remarkably diverse. While sexual reproduction is widespread, many species deviate from this norm, ranging from parthenogenesis, in which populations consist entirely of females, to systems in which only the maternal or paternal genome is transmitted to offspring. Drawing on our recent research on stick insects, I will illustrate how the loss of recombination and outcrossing affects genome evolution, and how “unorthodox” reproductive modes provide unique opportunities to investigate the roles of genetic conflict and sex-specific selection in evolution.