Amro Zayed, Biology, York University
Death by Diploidy: Sex Determination and Extinction in Haplodiploids

June 6, 2006 at 2:30 PM
Myers 209

Description:
The role of genetic factors in extinction is firmly established for diploid organisms, but haplodiploids have been considered immune to genetic load impacts because recessive deleterious alleles are purged in haploid males. However, single locus complementary sex determination found in haplodiploids imposes a substantial genetic load that is often overlooked: homozygosity at the sex locus results in the production of inviable or effectively sterile diploid males. I will discuss the relevance of diploid male production with respect to the population biology and genetics of haplodiploids, and its possible role in recent pollinator declines.