Sex chromosomes and speciation: chromosome inversion and the large Z-effect

This project aims to understand the divergence of species and the importance of two genomic features of often disproportionately large effect between young taxa – the sex chromosomes, and chromosome inversions. The research aims to provide insight into speciation processes by focusing on recent divergence in Australian finch species. The research will integrate genomics and transcriptomics with the study of traits closely aligned to speciation in birds – song, colour, and sperm morphology and protein composition. Novel insight is anticipated through the study of hybridising subspecies in both the laboratory and the wild. An overarching aim is to unite data from genomics, phenotype and behaviour to understand the forces driving speciation