Social niche-mediated reproductive phenotypes (B05)

• Subject Area: Evolution, Anthropology
• Term: from 2018 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316099922

Using the invertebrate Drosophila melanogaster, we will investigate how the social environment encountered during the larval phase affects expression of reproductive traits in adults. By manipulating larval density, we will measure responses in adults looking at morphology and behaviour. We will then test the fitness outcomes of any such adjustments to their social niche. In addition, we plan to investigate the long-term evolutionary changes in response to manipulations of the social niche. Therefore, we will establish experimental evolution lines and employ an evolve-and-resequence approach to measure genetic and phenotypic evolutionary responses.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 212: A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bielefeld
• Project Head: Dr. Claudia Fricke