Evolutionary Developmental Genetics
The Zakas Lab at North Carolina State University studies the genetic basis of EvoDevo using the marine polychaete Streblospio benedicti.
This abundant bioindicator species occurs in estuaries throughout North America and plays a critical role as an ecosystem engineer in disturbed and polluted habitats. S. benedicti is the *ONLY* known genetic model where two heritable developmental modes exist in a single species, and is the ideal model system for studying genetic trade-offs in development. There are two distinct offspring types, a phenomenon termed poecilogony: females either produce hundreds of small feeding larvae with a long development time, or tens of large non-feeding larvae that mature quickly. Using the tools we generated in this model system, we can study developmental variation within a single species, and determine the how developmental programs evolve genome-wide.
Our lab integrates aspects of population genetics, genomics, and developmental biology to understand how life-history evolves. By identifying how development is regulated within a single species, we can uncover the general patterns and the extent of conservation for genes involved in developmental evolution.
This abundant bioindicator species occurs in estuaries throughout North America and plays a critical role as an ecosystem engineer in disturbed and polluted habitats. S. benedicti is the *ONLY* known genetic model where two heritable developmental modes exist in a single species, and is the ideal model system for studying genetic trade-offs in development. There are two distinct offspring types, a phenomenon termed poecilogony: females either produce hundreds of small feeding larvae with a long development time, or tens of large non-feeding larvae that mature quickly. Using the tools we generated in this model system, we can study developmental variation within a single species, and determine the how developmental programs evolve genome-wide.
Our lab integrates aspects of population genetics, genomics, and developmental biology to understand how life-history evolves. By identifying how development is regulated within a single species, we can uncover the general patterns and the extent of conservation for genes involved in developmental evolution.