ANU
S C H O O L O F B O T A N Y A N D Z O O L O G Y
VISITORS WELCOME TO ATTEND
.
Thursday 17 May 2007, 1pm
Evolution of alternative
head colour morphs in the
polymorphic Gouldian finch
Dr Sarah Pryke
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
University of New South Wales
Description
Understanding the persistence of genetic colour polymorphisms (i.e.
different geneticallycontrolled
phenotypes) has proved to be a major challenge to evolutionary biology,
because
directional (normalising) selection on a strongly heritable trait should
eliminate conspicuous
variation and instead lead to monomorphism. Although the presence of true
alternative colour
morphs is extremely rare in natural systems, the Australian Gouldian finch
possesses one of the
most brightly coloured and truly discrete polymorphisms of any species, in
which both sexes
display three heritable and naturally co-occurring head colour morphs
(yellow, red and black). I
discuss the role of genetics, physiology and sexual selection in promoting
alternative
behavioural strategies among the three colour morphs, and ultimately
contributing to their
persistence in natural populations.
Speaker
Dr Sarah Pryke completed a PhD at the University of Göteborg, Sweden in
2003. She is now a
Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, studying the evolution
of colours and
ornaments in birds. Recent papers include:
Pryke, S. R. & Griffith, S. C. 2006. Red dominates black: Agonistic
signalling among head
morphs in the colour polymorphic Gouldian finch. Proceedings of the Royal
Society of London B
273: 949-957.
For further info about this Seminar please contact:
Dr Michael Jennions or Dr Naomi Langmore
Ph: 02 6125 3540,
Ph. 02 6125 4386,
Seminars are held in the Botany & Zoology Seminar Room, Building 116, Daley
Rd, ANU
_______________________________________
Dr Golo Maurer
School of Botany and Zoology
Australian National University
Canberra, ACT
0200
Australia
Work: +61 2 6125 4947
Home: +61 2 6251 7118
Mobile: +61 44 88 40139
Facsimile: +61 2 6125 5573
e-mail:
skype: golomaurer
homepage: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/Golo
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