Emily C. Moore

investigate. display. share.

About

I am broadly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the evolution of complex behaviors, and use African cichlid fish as a model to identify the genetic basis for behavioral diversification between species. By harnessing the genetic structure of repeated natural populations undergoing distinct evolutionary selection regimes, we can identify genes that contribute to adaptive behaviors. Additionally, I am interested in the evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosome evolution and genetic basis of diversity in sexually polymorphic traits, including morphology and behavior and reproduction. To fully understand how these processes work, I connect gene expression, epigenetics, tissue-level phenotyping, physiological measures, and organismal performance to develop a systems-level understanding of organismal form and function

Dwarf hamster sex chromosome evolution

October 6, 2022

Dwarf hamsters (Phodopus) have a surprising thing happening on their sex chromosomes — over half their X chromosome doesn’t undergo recombination, the re-mixing of genetic material! This gives us an opportunity to test important questions about how sex chromosomes change over time. Read more at: https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/14/6/evac080/6596369

Identifying species differences in behavioral patterns

September 4, 2017

African cichlids show a great variety of behaviors in the wild that allow them to find mates, defend their homes, and gather food. Species can have very different strategies for these tasks – these behaviors critical for the survival of the animal, and often have a genetic basis. I’ve worked to develop methods to quantify exploratory behaviors in the lab to ultimately ask questions about the genetic changes that influence the … More Identifying species differences in behavioral patterns

Polygenic sex determination: are there more than two phenotypic sexes?

September 4, 2017

Cichlids have genetic sex determination, meaning that the chromosomes they inherit from mom and dad determine whether they will be male or female. However, their system is a little more complicated than ours is. As we study the biology of sex, it is important that we keep in mind the diversity in secondary sex characters. Sexual “dimorphism” may realistically be sexual polymorphism, as the development of these traits depends not only on the sex determination gene(s), but any linked genes on the sex chromosome, modifiers across the genome, and the environment. … More Polygenic sex determination: are there more than two phenotypic sexes?