McGregor Lab

Phenotypic evolution within and between Drosophila species

The genetic and developmental basis of eye size variation

Insect compound eyes differ strikingly in shape and size reflecting different life styles and behaviour. We have found great variation in eye size within and among Drosophila species caused by differences in ommatidia number and size (Arif et al., 2013, Evolution and Development; Gaspar et al., 2020, G3; Torres-Olivia et al., 2021, bioRxiv). We are studying the genetic and developmental bases of these differences and how this affects the vision of these flies in collaboration with Maike Kittelmann, Jamie Theobald and Pablo Currea.  

Investigating the rapid evolution of male genital structures among species

Identifying the genes underlying the rapid evolution of insect male genitalia can inform the genetic basis of phenotypic change and how this is driven by sexual selection. We aim to find the genes and developmental mechanisms that cause differences in clasper and posterior lobe morphology between Drosophila maurtiana and D. simulans. We have found that changes in tartan expression underlie clasper divergence between these species (Hagen et al. 2019, PNAS USA; Hagen et al. 2021 Mol Bio Evol). We are currently studying the regulation and interactions of trn during clasper development, and characterising genes involved in posterior lobe evolution in collaboration with Daniela Nunes' lab.

Studying the architecture and evolution of gene regulatory networks

To understand the wiring and evolution of gene regulatory networks, we study the genes and their interactions that underlie trichome patterns on the cuticle of Drosophila. We found that gene regulatory networks underlying trichome development differ in components and wiring between developmental contexts and that these differences may influence which genes explain the evolution of trichome patterning. For example, while shavenbaby is a hotspot for the evolution of larval trichomes, changes in mir-92a expression cause differences in leg trichome patterns (Arif et al., 2013, Current Biology; Kittelmann et al., 2018 PLoS Genetics; Buffry et al., 2022, bioRxiv). We are currently exploring binding site and enhancer usage in different contexts in collaboration with Sebastian Kittelmann and Nicolas Frankel.