Project 9
The evolution of inclusive heredity through the genomic interactions of symbionts

Led by Mike Wade & Armin Moczek

This project aims to understand how and why host-microbiota symbiotic interactions evolved, with particular focus on mutual niche construction. Predictions from theoretical models designed in this study will be tested empirically using the tunnelling dung beetle, Onthophagus taurus.

Blog posts

Research project 9: The evolution of inclusive heredity through the genomic interactions of symbionts
Falkenberg KJ. 20 Feb 2017.

EES predictions this project tests

vi. in addition to selection, adaptive variants are propagated through repeated environmental induction, non-genetic inheritance, learning and cultural transmission
ix. heritable variation will be systematically biased towards variants that are adaptive and well-integrated with existing aspects of the phenotype