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The Maintenance of Polymorphism by Behavioral and Genomic Plasticity in Mate Preference Ilana L

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The Maintenance of Polymorphism by Behavioral and Genomic Plasticity in Mate Preference Ilana L Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2014 The Maintenance of Polymorphism by Behavioral and Genomic Plasticity in Mate Preference Ilana L. Janowitz Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES THE MAINTENANCE OF POLYMORPHISM BY BEHAVIORAL AND GENOMIC PLASTICITY IN MATE PREFERENCE By ILANA L. JANOWITZ A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Biological Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2014 Ilana L. Janowitz defended this dissertation on March 24, 2014. The members of the supervisory committee were: Kimberly A. Hughes Professor Directing Dissertation James F. Johnson University Representative Emily DuVal Committee Member Emily Lemmon Committee Member Joseph Travis Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii Dedicated to my parents, Harlan Janowitz and Sherry Janowitz. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Graduate school has provided me with the confidence and skills to move forward in life. Without the help of the following people, I would not have accomplished my graduate degree. - I would first and foremost like to thank God. Without His grace, forgiveness, and gentle guidance, I would not have the perseverance to accomplish my goals. I can only hope that the occupation that he has provided for me will, somehow, serve Him. - My parents, Harlan and Sherry Janowitz. Education was overly emphasized throughout my life. Everything that I am and everything that I need, I have received from my parents. They have never fallen short and I know they never will. - My advisor, Dr. Kimberly Hughes. She has pushed me to be the best scholastic version of myself. She took a leap of faith when she accepted me as a graduate student and I am very grateful for the chance to follow in her footsteps. - My partner, Robby- my favorite person. He has taught me a new way of existing in this world. With the love and the joy that he brings to my life, I can never have a bad day. - Jason, my best friend since childhood. He is my rock and the only one that really knows me. I am truly blessed to have someone in my life that never turns away. - Brittany, my best lady friend. She has been my sister throughout my time in graduate school. I am honored to know her and proud to call her a friend. - My Committee: o Joe Travis: He is an inspirational man. Although he is not my advisor, I have always strived to make him proud. He is not only extremely sharp, intelligent, and levelheaded; he is simply a nice person. o Frank Johnson: He is the reason why I am in graduate school. He believed in me before I believed in myself. o Emily DuVal: She has inspired me to stay true to my roots as an animal behaviorist. Her suggestions are always so crisp and clear. Whenever I leave her office, I know that I’ll spend the next few hours in deep thought. iv o Emily Lemmon: Her dual role as a fruitful scientist and mother is extremely inspirational. While we have had many work-related discussions, I have always been most excited to chat with her about family. - Dr. James C. Smith: I worked as a lab tech for him before beginning graduate school. He is not only my academic grandfather; he is also a true mentor and inspirational teacher. I am honored to know him. - Judy Bowers: She has always been extremely helpful and insightful. She is the anchor of the department. - Sandy Heath: I am so grateful to have had the chance to meet and know Sandy. Without his constant technical support, the lab would not be standing today. - Finally, I would like to thank NSF for my funding and the Department of Biological Science. v TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................x List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ xiv 1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................1 1.2 Study System ...................................................................................................................2 1.3 Dissertation Goals & Summary of Chapters ....................................................................5 1.3.1 Dissertation Goals ..................................................................................................5 1.3.2 Summary of Chapters ............................................................................................6 1.3.2.1 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................6 1.3.2.2 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................7 1.3.2.3 Chapter 4 ....................................................................................................7 2 MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING NOVEL MALE PREFERENCE IN THE FEMALE GUPPY ............................................................................................................8 2.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................8 2.2 Methods .........................................................................................................................10 2.2.1 Ethics Statement ..................................................................................................10 2.2.2 Behavioral Methods .............................................................................................10 2.2.2.1 Overview ................................................................................................10 2.2.2.2 Experimental Fish ...................................................................................11 2.2.2.3 Behavioral Paradigm ..............................................................................11 2.2.2.4 Data Analyses .........................................................................................13 2.2.3 Brain Gene Expression Methods .........................................................................13 vi 2.2.3.1 Brain Dissections ....................................................................................13 2.2.3.2 RNA Sequencing Library Preparation ....................................................14 2.2.3.3 Transcriptome Assembly and Annotation ..............................................15 2.2.3.4 RNA Sequence Analysis ........................................................................16 2.2.3.5 Statistical Analyses .................................................................................16 2.2.3.6 Functional Enrichment Analyses ............................................................17 2.2.3.7 qPCR Gene Validation ...........................................................................18 2.3 Results ...........................................................................................................................19 2.3.1 Behavioral Results ...............................................................................................19 2.3.2 Gene Expression Results .....................................................................................22 2.4 Discussion & Conclusions .............................................................................................26 3 THE BEHAVIORAL MECHANISMS DRIVING FEMALE GUPPY MATE PREFERENCE ........................................................................................................................31 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................31 3.2 Methods .........................................................................................................................32 3.2.1 Ethics Statement ..................................................................................................32 3.2.2 Behavioral Methods .............................................................................................33 3.2.2.1 Overview .................................................................................................33 3.2.2.2 Experimental Fish ...................................................................................33 3.2.2.3 Object Preference Trials .........................................................................34 3.2.2.4 Food Preference Trials ............................................................................35 3.2.3 Data Analyses .......................................................................................................36 3.2.3.1 Male Object Experiment .........................................................................36 3.2.3.2 Female Object Experiment .....................................................................37 3.2.3.3 Male Food Experiment ...........................................................................37
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