Molecular Ecology

Dr J Pemberton

Many issues in ecology, behaviour and evolution can be addressed using molecular techniques. Current core projects in the lab involve the use of microsatellites to infer paternity in two long-term studies of wild ruminants (red deer on Rum and Soay sheep on St Kilda), in order to estimate male reproductive success, quantitative genetic measures for fitness components and the extent and effect of inbreeding. Other current projects include a study of relatedness in social carnivores and an investigation of introgression by Japanese sika deer into the Scottish red deer population. Future projects may be on other topics and applicants are invited to make suggestions.

References

Goodman, S J, Barton N H, Swanson G, Abernethy K & Pemberton J M (1999) Introgression through rare hybridisation: a genetic study of a hybrid zone between red and sika deer (genus Cervus), in Argyll, Scotland. Genetics 152: 355-371.

Pemberton, J M, Coltman, D W, Smith, J A, and Pilkington, J G (1999) Molecular analysis of a promiscuous, fluctuating mating system. Biological J Linnean Society 68:289-301

Paterson, S, Wilson, K, and Pemberton, J M (1998) Major histocompatability complex (MHC) variation associated with juvenile survival and parasite resistance in a large unmanaged ungulate population (Ovis aries L) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95: 3714-3719.

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