GAČR 18-08468J
Characters that cause reproductive isolation before mating have been intensively studied. But reproductive isolation may also occur post mating, then includes the prezygotic gametic isolation and hybrid disadvantage. Gametic isolation is heavily understudied and current models exclusively describe its genetic component. However sperm function is shaped by environmental factors, which has not been studied at all with respect to reproduction isolation. The project deals for the first time with particular environmental factors affecting sperm (e.g. female body environment, diet) aiming to assess their contribution to reproduction isolation relative to the genetic component. As a research model we chose the common bedbug, consisting of separate lineages living with bats and humans and showing variable reproduction compatibility. Across five Czech and German labs, we capitalize on unique combination of own theoretic concepts and deep experience in sophisticated procedures of proteomic and lipidomic analyses, measuring sperm metabolism, artificial insemination and bedbugs rearing.
Project Period 1/2018 – 12/2020