Nathalie Feiner
Please refer to <https://www.evolbio.mpg.de/3736789/Group-Evolutionary-Diversification-and-Innovation_Feiner> or contact Nathalie Feiner via <feiner@evolbio.mpg.de> for further information on the project after having read the publications stated below.
To apply for the position please write an email to <imprs-application@evolbio.mpg.de> for attention of Ms. Ellen Karl from the MPI personnel department. Your application documents have to be compiled in one PDF including a short motivational statement, a short CV (biosketch), bachelor and master degrees/transcripts of records and contact information for two academic references. Name the PDF as follows: Lastname_Firstname_Lastnamesupervisor.pdf.
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Evo-devo of color patterns in lizards
Animal color patterns arise through the spatial organization of different pigment cell types. These cells originate in the neural crest and migrate throughout the early embryo before settling in the skin. Lizards possess three different types of pigment cells: melanophores (black), xanthophores (yellow to red), and iridophores, which generate structural colors. A central open question is whether color patterns form through the migratory behaviors and interactions of these pigment cells, or whether the cells interpret an underlying pre-pattern that guides their arrangement. Addressing this requires a detailed understanding of pigment cell development: when and where these cells first appear, how they migrate, and how differentiation is regulated.
In an evolutionary context, a striking observation is that color patterns can evolve rapidly, yet within the bounds of a certain color pattern space. An excellent opportunity to explore the ‘rules’ set by developmental systems are species that exhibit pattern polymorphisms. In such species, multiple distinct pattern morphs segregate within the same population, and their expression is controlled by a relatively simple genetic switch.
This project will focus on two lizard species with pattern polymorphisms: the Italian wall lizard (a lacertid) and the brown anole (an iguanid), in which the polymorphism is restricted to females. The overarching goal is to understand how simple genetic switches influence the complex developmental processes that generate color patterns. To achieve this, the project may employ approaches such as in situ hybridization (HCR), single-cell RNA sequencing, histology, quantitative RT-PCR, spatial transcriptomics and genetic mapping, but will depend on the exact design of the project.
Relevant references:
Feiner, N., Brun-Usan, M., Andrade, P., Pranter, R., Park, S., Menke, D. B., Geneva, A. J. & Uller, T. 2022. A single locus regulates a female-limited color pattern polymorphism in a reptile. Science Advances 8:10
Feiner, N., Yang, W., Bunikis, I., While, G.M. & Uller, T. 2024. Adaptive introgression reveals the genetic basis of a sexually selected syndrome in wall lizards. Science Advances 10:14
A popular science summary of the evo-devo of color patterns can be found here:
https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2024/animal-patterns-spots-stripes-explained-turing-mechanism