Polygenic traits and the regulation of genes involved in sexual selection and mating are influenced by age, behavior, and chemical interactions between and within sexes. Even non-mating interactions between sexes may affect brain and head gene activity and body microbiome composition, but the correlation between gene expression and physiological or behavioral outcomes are unclear. We use fruit flies at three distinct life stages to contrast non-mating vs. mating, and opposite vs. same-sex exposure conditions to better understand the effects of social and mating interactions on head gene expression regulation and microbiome composition. This research provides insight into sex-specific variations of several important phenotypes associated with sexual selection and mating.

*For more about this project, contact info@bozinstitute.org