Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
09:34
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
Functional evidence that a recently evolved Drosophila sperm-specific gene boosts sperm competition
Shu-Dan Yeh1, Tiffanie Do, Carolus Chan
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Summary
Rapid evolution in males involves new genes enhancing fitness. A newly evolved sperm dynein gene family in Drosophila melanogaster boosts male reproductive success, demonstrating fast gene function incorporation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Male-specific traits often evolve faster than female traits.
- Rapid male evolution requires new genetic variations for reproductive success.
- The adaptive roles of recently evolved genes in males remain under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional role of the recently evolved Sperm dynein intermediate chain multigene family in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To determine if this gene family contributes to male reproductive success.
Main Methods:
- Utilized chromosome engineering to delete the Sperm dynein intermediate chain multigene family from the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster.
- Assessed sperm competence and progeny number in males lacking the gene family, comparing them to wild-type males.
Main Results:
- Deletion of the Sperm dynein intermediate chain multigene family did not affect the total number of progeny.
- Sperm from males lacking the gene family showed impaired competence when competing with wild-type sperm.
- The gene family contributes to differential reproductive success among males.
Conclusions:
- The Sperm dynein intermediate chain multigene family plays a role in male reproductive success.
- This study provides functional evidence for the rapid incorporation of new gene functions into a species' genetic network.
- Highlights the adaptive significance of rapidly evolving genes in male fitness.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Genetics of Speciation
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...