Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) weekly seminars

Sign in front of the STRI Headquarter building in Ancon, Panama

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) weekly seminars at the Ancon headquarters:
From: "Arroyo, Anabelle"
Date: Jun 13, 2012 10:11:02 AM
Subject: Tuesday seminar June 19, 2012 at the Earl S. Tupper Conference Center
To: "Arroyo, Anabelle" <ArroyoA@si.edu>
Announcing the STRI Tuesday afternoon seminar for June 19, 2012 at 4:00 pm in the Earl S. Tupper auditorium:
Speaker: Michael J. Ryan, University of Texas and STRI
Title: Molecular genetics, behavioral, and evolution of alternative reproductive tactics in a live bearing fish Abstract: The swordtail, Xiphophorus nigrensis, exhibits profound variation in body size related to time to sexual maturity. Males of different sizes mature at different times and exhibit different reproductive strategies. Smaller males chase females attempting to force copulation while larger males court females. Male size is Y-linked and highly heritable due to a hypothesized “P” gene. We recently discovered that the P gene is the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (mc4r). Y-linked mc4r genes are not functional, exhibit copy number variation, and act as dominant negative mutants. The number of mc4r genes on the Y chromosome correlates with male body size. mc4r seems to influence only body size, while reproductive behaviors appear to be phenotypically plastic and respond to male body size
Upcoming seminars:
June 26: Virginia Schutte, University of Georgia
Determining how altered structure of a habitat-forming engineer affects ecosystem function
July 3: Barrett Klein
Title to be announced
July 10: Rick Condit, STRI
Title to be announced

The audience

A guest speaker

A guest speaker