Is the evolution of seasonal plasticity dependent on genetic variation for the circadian clock?

Adaptive variation in developmental plasticity for life cycle regulation is ubiquitous in seasonal insects and provide some of the best examples of rapid local adaptation.

In this project I will test the hypothesis that evolutionary dynamics of clock genes is important for the evolution of adaptive variation in seasonal plasticity across population and species.

I will use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to induce ecologically relevant mutations in central clock genes that have emerged as candidates in previous projects, to test for causal effects on seasonal plasticity and circadian behavior.

I will explore the genomic signatures of rapid parallel evolution of seasonal plasticity in a range expanding species, and test for a common dependency of circadian clock genes across populations and species.

Finally, I will perform selection experiments to test if different timing aspects of seasonal plasticity share a common genetic background and, if so, whether it this is due to shared dependence on circadian clock genes.

In combination, this project will allow me to assess the importance of genetic variation of the circadian clock as a pathway for local adaptation of seasonal plasticity in general.

Moreover, as the project will explore the genetic consequences of northward expansions and adaptation of seasonal life cycle regulation, it is also highly relevant for understanding ecological and evolutionary consequences of ongoing climate change.