Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Committee Members

Scott Baird (Advisor), Jeff Peters (Committee Member), Labib Rouhana (Committee Member)

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Speciation occurs when there is a lack of reproduction due to genetic barriers. These genetic barriers to gene flow are referred as reproductive isolation mechanisms. Pre-zygotic and post-zygotic isolation are types of reproductive isolation mechanisms. In this project, post-zygotic isolation mechanisms were examined. Haldane's Rule states that in F1 hybrids, individuals of the heterogametic sex are less fit than those of the homogametic sex. Darwin's Corollary to Haldane's rule states that there is asymmetry in hybrid progeny between interspecific reciprocal crosses. Crosses done between Caenorhabditis briggsae males to Caenorhabditis nigoni females produce viable F1 hybrid females and males, yet the F1 hybrid males are infertile. When compared to reciprocal crosses, the F1 hybrid females are viable, but males die during embryogenesis. When cbr-him-8(v188) was used to study male-specific lethality, it was found that cbr-him-8 acts as a recessive maternal-effect suppressor of F1 hybrid male-specific lethality. A possible mechanism for suppression is epigenetic meiotic silencing due to unpaired X chromosomes. F1 hybrid males with an X chromosome from C. briggsae when crossed to various females generated progeny. Other F1 hybrids males that acquired X chromosome from C. nigoni paternally, were infertile. This demonstrates that hybrid sterile gene must be on the X chromosome of C. nigoni. Thus, X-autosome interactions are essential in determining the incompatibilities of asymmetrical crosses that result in hybrid lethality and sterility.

Page Count

86

Department or Program

Department of Biological Sciences

Year Degree Awarded

2016

ORCID ID

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4415-0417


Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS