Functional evidence that a recently evolved Drosophila sperm-specific gene boosts sperm competition.

ABSTRACT: In many species, both morphological and molecular traits related to sex and reproduction evolve faster in males than in females. Ultimately, rapid male evolution relies on the acquisition of genetic variation associated with differential reproductive success. Many newly evolved genes are associated with novel functions that might enhance male fitness. However, functional evidence of the adaptive role of recently originated genes in males is still lacking. The Sperm dynein intermediate chain multigene family, which encodes a Sperm dynein intermediate chain presumably involved in sperm motility, originated from complex genetic rearrangements in the lineage that leads to Drosophila melanogaster within the last 5.4 million years since its split from Drosophila simulans. We deleted all the memb

SUBMITTER: Yeh SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3277543 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature