Functional genomics of cactus host shifts in Drosophila mojavensis

ABSTRACT: Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation to novel environments remains one of the major challenges confronting evolutionary biologists. While newly developed genomic approaches hold considerable promise for addressing this overall question, the relevant tools have not often been available in the most ecologically interesting organisms. Our study organism, Drosophila mojavensis, is a cactophilic Sonoran Desert endemic utilizing four different cactus hosts across its geographic range. Its well-known ecology makes it an attractive system in which to study the evolution of gene expression during adaptation. As a cactophile, D. mojavensis oviposits in the necrotic tissues of cacti, therefore exposing larvae and even adults to the varied and toxic compounds of rotting cacti. We have

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila mojavensis

SUBMITTER: Carlos Machado 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-5148 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress