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3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March
7, 14 April 2011
(2h per day)
Summary
The role of hybridization for the evolution of animals has seen several ups and downs during its scientific history, but recently once again attracts much interest. In this course, I will outline the current knowledge on vertebrates with the center of attention on teleost fishes, amphibians and reptiles.
Starting from secondary contacts of diverged lineages, I will discuss hybrid zones, introgressive hybridization, and more importantly homoploid and polyploid hybrid speciation. A focus will be put on several resulting reproductive mechanisms, in which parts or entire genomes are transmitted in a natural clonal or hemi-clonal manner, or are eliminated during the formation of eggs and sperm. Among others, we will visit gynogenetic and hybridogenetic all-female fishes, bisexually reproducing hybridogenetic fishes and frogs, kleptogenetic salamanders and all-female parthenogenetic lizard complexes. Taxa with such a great genomic diversity and reproductive modes are highly interesting systems to address a variety of evolutionary questions, linked to gene and genome doubling, genomic plasticity, evolutionary genetics, hybrid fertility and fitness, sex determination, and the potential absence or modifications of meiosis. The motto for the course is: By studying the exceptions and bizarre cases, we may better understand the common phenomena. I will also touch more general evolutionary aspects of sexual versus non-sexual modes of reproduction and (perhaps) strategies for preserving the genetic integrity of native species.
This course will be held in English (readings of special papers, short introductory lectures, seminar-like discussions).
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