Evolution and Diversity
Chris Jiggins
University Reader
Email: c.jiggins(at)zoo.cam.ac.uk
Tel.: +44 (0) 1223 769021
I am interested in the genetic basis of adaption in natural populations and its role in speciation, mostly studying mimetic tropical butterflies, but also insecticide resistance in lepidopteran agricultural pests. More recently I have been using genomic techniques to answer these questions. Specific projects include the following:
- Population genomic studies of regions controlling colour pattern, and of the divergence associated with speciation
- Functional studies of the genes that control polymorphism in Heliconius colour pattern genes
- Identification of genes involved in insecticide resistance in the moth Plutella xylostella
- Annotation and curation of the Heliconius genome sequence
- Divergence in mating behaviour and especially the role of colour pattern and pheromonal cues in mate preferences
Selected publications
- Baxter SW, Nadeau NJ, Maroja LS, Wilkinson P, Counterman BA, Dawson A, Beltran M, Perez-Espona S, Chamberlain N, Ferguson L, Clark R, Davidson C, Glithero R, Mallet J, McMillan WO, Kronforst M, Joron M, Ffrench-Constant RH, Jiggins CD. Genomic hotspots for adaptation: the population genetics of Müllerian mimicry in the Heliconius melpomene Clade. PLoS Genet 2010;6(2):e1000794.
- Joron M, Frezal L, Jones RT, Chamberlain NL, Lee SF, Haag CR, Whibley A, Becuwe M, Baxter SW, Ferguson L, Wilkinson PA, Salazar C, Davidson C, Clark R, Quail MA, Beasley H, Glithero R, Lloyd C, Sims S, Jones MC, Rogers J, Jiggins CD, ffrench-Constant RH. Chromosomal rearrangements maintain a polymorphic supergene controlling butterfly mimicry. Nature 2011;477(7363):203-206.
- Reed RD, Papa R, Martin A, Hines HM, Counterman BA, Pardo-Diaz C, Jiggins CD, Chamberlain NL, Kronforst MR, Chen R, Halder G, Nijhout HF, McMillan WO. Optix Drives the Repeated Convergent Evolution of Butterfly Wing Pattern Mimicry. Science 2011 Jul;
- Salazar C, Baxter SW, Pardo-Diaz C, Wu G, Surridge A, Linares M, Bermingham E, Jiggins CD. Genetic Evidence for Hybrid Trait Speciation in Heliconius Butterflies. PLoS Genet 2010 Apr;6(4):e1000930.
- Baxter SW, Papa R, Chamberlain N, Humphray SJ, Joron M, Morrison C, ffrench-Constant RH, McMillan WO, Jiggins CD. Convergent evolution in the genetic basis of Müllerian mimicry in heliconius butterflies. Genetics 2008 Nov;180(3):1567-77.
- Jiggins CD, Naisbit RE, Coe RL, Mallet J. Reproductive isolation caused by colour pattern mimicry. Nature 2001 May;411(6835):302-5.
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