Maladaptation in a changing world

MEREDITH CENZER

University of Chicago

Link to seminar: https://umontpellier-fr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i20i3mQ5TO-2muARGo4Q3Q

https://meredithcenzer.wordpress.com/

Wild populations are increasingly confronted with novel, human-modified environments that can impact phenotypes both through genetic and plastic change. I study the impacts of adaptation to a novel environment (in this case, an introduced host plant) in the red-shouldered soapberry bug. In this system, I show that recent gene flow from populations adapted to the introduced host plant has wiped out local adaptation to the native host (balloon vine). This process of local adaptation loss happened not only through direct gene swamping, but also through the expression of maladaptive plasticity in admixed individuals which masks genetic differences in key morphological phenotypes. Furthermore, maladaptive plasticity extends into behavioral phenotypes, with individuals from native host-associated populations expressing strong preferences for mates from poor developmental backgrounds. I will preview ongoing research into the drivers of dispersal between hosts and consider how maladaptive change may impact other native community members.

Recent publications:

1 Yang, LH and ML Cenzer (2020) Seasonal windows of opportunity in milkweed-monarch interactions. Ecology 101 (1): e02880.

2 Cenzer, ML and LK M'Gonigle (2019) Local adaptation in dispersal in multi-resource landscapes. Evolution 73 (4): 648-660.

3 Cenzer, ML (2017) Maladaptive plasticity masks the effects of natural selection in the red-shouldered soapberry bug. The American Naturalist, 190: 521-533.