Loading content

Professor Nina Wedell

Professor of Evolutionary Biology/ Associate Dean for Research (CLES)

01326 371863

SERSF

Science and Engineering Research Support Facility (SERSF):, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

Professor of Evolutionary Biology/Associate Dean for Research (CLES)

I am an evolutionary biologist with research interests focused on the evolutionary ecology of sex. I have worked extensively on various aspects of sexual selection and sexual conflict, in particular on the role of selfish genetic elements in reproductive biology. I am the Academic lead for the Behaviour research group.

Latest news: Hear Professor Nina Wedell on NERC's Planet Earth podcast talking about why female promiscuity may keep a population viable. Nina's work on fruit flies demonstrates that so-called sperm competition controls the number of selfish genes in a population and stops species from going extinct.

Qualifications

1997 DSc (Stockholm)
1993 PhD (Stockholm)
1986 MSc (Stockholm)
1984 BSc (Stockholm)

Career

2018- present Associate Dean for Reserach (CLES)

2014-2018 Director of Research

2011-2016 Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award Holder
2009- present Professor of Evolutionary Biology
2004-2009 Royal Society University Research Fellow: University of Exeter
2000-2004 Royal Society University Research Fellow: School of Biology, University of Leeds
1996-1999 Research Fellow: (Swedish Natural Sciences Research Council), Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm
1993-1996 Postdoctoral research fellow (Swedish Natural Sciences Research
Council): University of Liverpool

Research group links

Behaviour

The Wedell group: l-r Tom Price, Zenobia Lewis, and Fleur Champion de Crespigny.

Group work in the lab

Research

Research projects

Evolution of female multiple mating - Why females of nearly all animals tend to mate with more than one male (polyandry) remains a pressing question for evolutionary biology. I am examining the direct and indirect benefits to females of polyandry. Males of many insects provide nutritional donations at mating. The consequences of male donations are explored in butterflies and bush-crickets. In other species, females may exercise post-copulatory choice to avoid using sperm of related males to reduce the cost of inbreeding.

Selfish genetic elements and sexual selection - Selfish genetic elements (SGEs), such as transposable elements, segregation distorters and maternally inherited symbionts are found in all living organisms where they can cause reproductive incompatibilities, feminization, and killing of sons and sperm resulting in sex ratio distortion. I am looking at the interactions between SGEs and adaptive female mating patterns:

1. Females may mate multiply to avoid using sperm from males carrying SGEs, by promoting sperm competition as a means to swamp SGE-carrying sperm. I am examining the impact of SGEs on male fertility in species of flies: Drosophila pseudoobscura (X-linked meiotic driver genes causing female biased sex ratios) and D. melanogaster and D. simulans (the cytoplasmic maternally inherited bacterium Wolbachia causing reduced hatching success, CI).

2. CI-inducing Wolbachia has the potential to affect the population dynamics of their host via reduced offspring production. In collaboration with Steve Sait (Leeds) and Zenobia Lewis (Liverpool), we are examining this possibility in Ephestia kuehniella moths.

3. I am also investigating the consequences of sex ratio distorting endosymbionts in butterfly populations. Male-killing Wolbachia has dramatic impact on the mating system in the butterfly Hypolimnas bolina across Pacific Islands, which vary in frequency of male killers (in collaboration with Greg Hurst at Liverpool). In Australian Eurema hecabe butterflies Wolbachia feminises genetic males and convert them into functional females (collaboration with Darrell Kemp at Macquarie University).

Sexual selection and sexual conflict - Female multiple mating creates a conflict of interests between the sexes, since males are selected to attempt to manipulate each female he mates with into putting as much of her resources into his offspring even if this lowers her overall reproductive output. Sexual conflict has profound implications for our understanding of numerous areas of evolutionary biology including sexual selection, sex determination and speciation. I am pursuing three lines of research:

1. Sexually antagonistic (SA) alleles are genes that are advantageous to one sex but detrimental when expressed in the other. If sex-linked, SA alleles can accumulate even when the advantage to one sex is less than the cost to the other. Recent research has revealed most genes are differentially expressed in male and female metazoans, indicating many loci are SA. The importance of sex-linkage and differential gene expression for SA alleles is examined in various butterflies and moths, where females are the heterogametic (XY) sex. Sex-linkage of sexually selected traits are frequent in this insect group.

2. In D. melanogaster, a transposable element is inserted into a cytochrome P450 gene (Cyp6g1 gene) conferring DDT resistance by upregulating gene expression. It also causes females to pack eggs with more RNA, increasing egg survival. However there are sexually antagonistic effects of the allele because in males, up-regulation of Cyp6g1 can decrease male mating-success and alter male aggression. Recently, new TE insertions and duplications into of Cyp6g1 have been discovered. These are associated with large sex differences in DDT resistance, but we do not understand why. Together with David Hosken and Richard ffrench-Constant (Cornwall) I am exploiting this unique opportunity to examine the impact of multiple TE insertions into the promoter region of a single gene with large SA effects.

3. Males frequently transfer a range of accessory gland proteins in the ejaculate that manipulate female reproductive physiology. These molecules are rapidly evolving yet seem to have cross-reactivity across insects. Together with David Hosken and Richard ffrench-Constant (Cornwall) I am examining the hypothesis that male insects may be exploiting a conserved physiological pathway regulating female physiology that is shared by insects.

Research grants

2011 NERC
Polyandry and sex ratio drive
2008 NERC
Selfish genetic elements and population viability: the impact of temperature and sexual selection
2006 NERC
Investigating an ongoing selective sweep: the dynamics and consequences of the spread of male-killer suppression in the butterfly Hypolimnas bolina
2006 The Royal Society
Summer studentship: Sex-ratio distortion and sperm production in flies: a new molecular technique
2005 NERC
Sheffield molecular genetics facility: Sex-ratio drive and sperm competitive success in Drosophila pseudoobscura
2005 ESF
Parasitic bacteria-host evolutionary interactions mechanisms and implications
2004 Leverhulme Trust
Parasitic bacteria, sexual selection and population dynamics
2004 NERC
Causes and consequences of geographic variation in a host-Wolbachia interaction
2004 NSF
Tracking Wolbachia-induced evolution: sex-ratio distortion and sexual selection in pacific island Hypolimnas bolina (Lepidoptera)
2004 Leverhulme Trust
Is multiple mating a female strategy to avoid inbreeding?
2004 NERC
Co-evolutionary interactions between female mating frequency and selfish genetic elements
2002 The Royal Society
Short visit grant: Polyandry as a defence against costs of inbreeding in the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus.
2002 NERC
Determinants of reproductive rates: sexual antagonism and environmental adaptation

Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Key publications

Price TAR, Bretman A, Gradilla AC, Reger J, Taylor ML, Giraldo-Perez P, Campbell A, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2014). Does polyandry control population sex ratio via regulation of a selfish gene?. Proc Biol Sci, 281(1783). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Polyandry in nature: a global analysis. Trends Ecol Evol, 29(7), 376-383. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Wedell N (2013). The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 368(1613). Abstract. Author URL.

Price TAR, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2010). Polyandry prevents extinction. Curr Biol, 20(5), 471-475. Abstract. Author URL.

Price TAR, Lewis Z, Smith DT, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2010). Sex ratio drive promotes sexual conflict and sexual coevolution in the fly Drosophila pseudoobscura. Evolution, 64(5), 1504-1509. Abstract. Author URL.

Champion de Crespigny, F.E. Hurst, L.D. & Wedell, N (2008). Do Wolbachia associated incompatibilities promote polyandry?\r. Evolution, 62, 107-122.

Publications by category

Journal articles

Hosken DJ, Taylor, M. Hoyle, K. Higgins, S. Wedell N (In Press). Attractive males have greater success in sperm competition. Current Biology

Perry JC, Joag R, Hosken DJ, Wedell N, Radwan J, Wigby S (In Press). Experimental evolution under hyper-promiscuity in Drosophila melanogaster. BMC Evol Biol, 16(1).

BACKGROUND: the number of partners that individuals mate with over their lifetime is a defining feature of mating systems, and variation in mate number is thought to be a major driver of sexual evolution. Although previous research has investigated the evolutionary consequences of reductions in the number of mates, we know little about the costs and benefits of increased numbers of mates. Here, we use a genetic manipulation of mating frequency in Drosophila melanogaster to create a novel, highly promiscuous mating system. We generated D. melanogaster populations in which flies were deficient for the sex peptide receptor (SPR) gene - resulting in SPR- females that mated more frequently - and genetically-matched control populations, and allowed them to evolve for 55 generations. At several time-points during this experimental evolution, we assayed behavioural, morphological and transcriptional reproductive phenotypes expected to evolve in response to increased population mating frequencies. RESULTS: We found that males from the high mating frequency SPR- populations evolved decreased ability to inhibit the receptivity of their mates and decreased copulation duration, in line with predictions of decreased per-mating investment with increased sperm competition. Unexpectedly, SPR- population males also evolved weakly increased sex peptide (SP) gene expression. Males from SPR- populations initially (i.e. before experimental evolution) exhibited more frequent courtship and faster time until mating relative to controls, but over evolutionary time these differences diminished or reversed. CONCLUSIONS: in response to experimentally increased mating frequency, SPR- males evolved behavioural responses consistent with decreased male post-copulatory investment at each mating and decreased overall pre-copulatory performance. The trend towards increased SP gene expression might plausibly relate to functional differences in the two domains of the SP protein. Our study highlights the utility of genetic manipulations of animal social and sexual environments coupled with experimental evolution.

Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Hosken DJ, Hawkes MF, Gamble CE, Turner ECR, Carey MR, Wedell N (In Press). Intralocus sexual conflict and insecticide resistance. Proceedings B Full text.

Ingleby FC, Lewis Z, Wedell N (In Press). Level of sperm comeptition promotes evolution of male ejaculate allocation patterns in a moth. Animal Behaviour Abstract.

Wigmore, C. Hodgson, D.J. Wedell, N. (In Press). Multiple mating increases female fitness in Drosophila simulans. Animal Behaviour

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Skeats A, Wedell N (In Press). Temperature can shape a cline in polyandry, but only genetic variation can sustain it over time. Behavioral Ecology Abstract. Full text.

Hosken DJ, Alonzo SH, Wedell N (In Press). Why aren’t females ornamented more often?.

Hosken DJ, Alonzo SH, Wedell N (In Press). Why aren’t signals of female quality more common?. Full text.

Ono K, Price T, Wedell N (2019). Does mating negatively affect female immune defences in insects?. Animal Biology, 69, 117-136. Full text.

McNamara KB, Dougherty LR, Wedell N, Simmons LW (2019). Experimental evolution reveals divergence in female genital teeth morphology in response to sexual conflict intensity in a moth. J Evol Biol, 32(5), 519-524. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Sutter A, Travers LM, Weedon M, Oku K, Price TAR, Wedell N (2019). No selection for change in polyandry under experimental evolution. J Evol Biol, 32(7), 717-730. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Duffy E, Archer CR, Sharma MD, Prus M, Joag RA, Radwan J, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2019). Wolbachia infection can bias estimates of intralocus sexual conflict. Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), 328-338. Abstract. Full text.

Hosken DJ, Archer R, House C, Wedell N (2018). Penis evolution across species: divergence and diversity. Nature Reviews Urology Full text.

Jungwirth A, Wedell N, Bshary R, Milinski M (2017). Animal personalities: an empty placeholder feigning understanding: a comment on Beekman and Jordan. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, 28(3), 629-630. Author URL.

Baxter SW, Hoffman JI, Tregenza T, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2017). EB Ford revisited: assessing the long-term stability of wing-spot patterns and population genetic structure of the meadow brown butterfly on the Isles of Scilly. Heredity (Edinb), 118(4), 322-329. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2017). Three billion years of research and development. NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, 1 Full text.

Lindholm AK, Dyer KA, Firman RC, Fishman L, Forstmeier W, Holman L, Johannesson H, Knief U, Kokko H, Larracuente AM, et al (2016). The Ecology and Evolutionary Dynamics of Meiotic Drive. Trends Ecol Evol, 31(4), 315-326. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Chargé R, Wedell N, Lindstedt C, Hämäläinen L, Övermark E, Mappes J (2016). Variation in male fertility in a polymorphic moth, Parasemia plantaginis. Animal Behaviour, 111, 33-40. Abstract. Full text.

Giraldo-Perez P, Herrera P, Campbell A, Taylor ML, Skeats A, Aggio R, Wedell N, Price TAR (2016). Winter is coming: hibernation reverses the outcome of sperm competition in a fly. J Evol Biol, 29(2), 371-379. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Holman L, Price TAR, Wedell N, Kokko H (2015). Coevolutionary dynamics of polyandry and sex-linked meiotic drive. Evolution, 69(3), 709-720. Abstract. Full text.

Wedell N (2015). Nina Wedell. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 25(22), R1062-R1063. Author URL.

Taylor ML, Skeats A, Wilson AJ, Price TAR, Wedell N (2015). Opposite environmental and genetic influences on body size in North American Drosophila pseudoobscura Evolutionary ecology and behaviour. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 15(1). Abstract. Full text.

Rostant WG, Kay C, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2015). Sexual conflict maintains variation at an insecticide resistance locus. BMC Biol, 13 Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Herrera P, Taylor ML, Skeats A, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Can patterns of chromosome inversions in Drosophila pseudoobscura predict polyandry across a geographical cline?. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 4(15), 3072-3081. Author URL. Full text.

Mank JE, Hosken DJ, Wedell N (2014). Conflict on the sex chromosomes: cause, effect, and complexity. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol, 6(12). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Price TAR, Bretman A, Gradilla AC, Reger J, Taylor ML, Giraldo-Perez P, Campbell A, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2014). Does polyandry control population sex ratio via regulation of a selfish gene?. Proceedings. Biological sciences / the Royal Society, 281(1783). Abstract.

Duffy E, Joag R, Radwan J, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2014). Inbreeding alters intersexual fitness correlations in Drosophila simulans. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 4(17), 3330-3338. Author URL. Full text.

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Polyandry in nature: a global analysis. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 29(7), 376-383. Abstract.

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Polyandry in nature: a global analysis. Trends Ecol Evol, 29(7), 376-383. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Hornett EA, Moran B, Reynolds LA, Charlat S, Tazzyman S, Wedell N, Jiggins CD, Hurst GDD (2014). The evolution of sex ratio distorter suppression affects a 25 cM genomic region in the butterfly Hypolimnas bolina. PLoS Genet, 10(12). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Awrahman ZA, Champion de Crespigny F, Wedell N (2014). The impact of Wolbachia, male age and mating history on cytoplasmic incompatibility and sperm transfer in Drosophila simulans. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 27(1), 1-10. Abstract. Full text.

Arundell KL, Wedell N, Dunn AM (2014). The impact of predation risk and of parasitic infection on parental care in brooding crustaceans. Animal Behaviour, 96, 97-105. Abstract.

McNamara KB, Wedell N, Simmons LW (2013). Experimental evolution reveals trade-offs between mating and immunity. Biology Letters, 9(4). Abstract. Full text.

Arundell KL, Wedell N, Dunn AM (2013). Perceived risk of sperm competition affects sperm investment in a mate-guarding amphipod. Animal Behaviour Abstract.

Mank JE, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2013). Polyandry and sex-specific gene expression. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 368(1613). Abstract. Author URL.

Mank JE, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2013). Polyandry and sex-specific gene expression. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 368(1613). Abstract.

House CM, Lewis Z, Hodgson DJ, Wedell N, Sharma MD, Hunt J, Hosken DJ (2013). Sexual and natural selection both influence male genital evolution. PLoS One, 8(5). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Wedell N (2013). The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 368(1613). Abstract.

Wedell N (2013). The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 368(1613). Abstract. Author URL.

Lewis Z, Lizé A, Wedell N (2013). The interplay between different stages of reproduction in males of the moth Plodia interpunctella. Animal Behaviour, 86(5), 917-922. Abstract.

Lewis Z, Lizé A, Wedell N (2013). The interplay between different stages of reproduction in males of the moth Plodia interpunctella. Animal Behaviour

Pizzari T, Wedell N (2013). The polyandry revolution. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 368(1613).

Harrison PW, Mank JE, Wedell N (2012). Incomplete Sex Chromosome Dosage Compensation in the Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella, Based on De Novo Transcriptome Assembly. GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 4(11), 1118-1126. Author URL. Full text.

Price TAR, Lewis Z, Smith DT, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2012). No evidence of mate discrimination against males carrying a sex ratio distorter in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 66(4), 561-568. Abstract.

Price TAR, Hoskyns RC, Rapley H, Evans JC, Wedell N (2012). No evidence that temperature-related fertility differences influence the distribution of a selfish genetic element. Functional Ecology

Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) are universal and can have major evolutionary and ecological impacts, but their ecology is not well understood. Most SGEs have stable population dynamics, but the reasons for this are rarely known. Several SGEs are distributed along latitudinal frequency clines, providing an opportunity to examine why these clines are stable. 2.Latitudinal temperature changes are a strong contender for an underlying environmental cause of such clines. Both SGEs and extreme temperatures commonly affect male fertility. If these factors interact to reduce male fertility, this could be the cause of the observed latitudinal clines. 3.The meiotic driving X-chromosome sex ratio (SR), found in the fruit fly Drosophila pseudoobscura, is distributed in a cline across North America, being absent in Canada and increasing in frequency southward to 30% at the Mexico/USA border. This cline has been stable for at least 50years, despite considerable gene flow between populations. If SR males have decreased fertility in the colder Northern populations, this could undermine the success of SR and cause this cline. 4.Here, we examine the fertility of males reared at high and low temperatures. We find that both SR and non-SR males have reduced fertility at high temperatures. However, SR males show disproportionally lower fertility at high temperatures than non-SR males. 5.The geographical distribution of SR suggests the opposite should be true; SR males should be more successful at high temperatures than low ones, as SR is more common in the South, hence the observed temperature-related fertility differences of males cannot be the cause of the cline in SR in nature. 6.This study finds that the reduction in male fertility commonly caused by SGEs is temperature dependent. However, although these interactions are likely to be important for the ecology of SGEs, they do not necessarily provide the explanation for the observed latitudinal clines in SR. © 2012 the Authors. Functional Ecology © 2012 British Ecological Society.

Abstract.

Smith DT, Sirot LK, Wolfner MF, Hosken DJ, Wedell N (2012). The consequences of genetic variation in sex peptide expression levels for egg laying and retention in females. Heredity, 109(4), 222-225. Abstract.

Rostant WG, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2012). Transposable elements and insecticide resistance. , 78, 169-201. Abstract.

Rostant WG, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2012). Transposable elements and insecticide resistance. Adv Genet, 78, 169-201. Abstract. Author URL.

Smith DT, Hosken DJ, Rostant WG, Yeo M, Griffin RM, Bretman A, Price TAR, Ffrench-Constant RH, Wedell N (2011). DDT resistance, epistasis and male fitness in flies. J Evol Biol, 24(6), 1351-1362. Abstract. Author URL.

Lewis Z, Wedell N, Hunt J (2011). Evidence for strong intralocus sexual conflict in the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. Evolution, 65(7), 2085-2097. Abstract. Author URL.

Price TAR, Lewis Z, Smith DT, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2011). No evidence of mate discrimination against males carrying a sex ratio distorter in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 1-8.

Price TAR, Lewis Z, Smith DT, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2011). Remating in the laboratory reflects rates of polyandry in the wild. Animal Behaviour, 82(6), 1381-1386. Abstract.

Mank JE, Hosken DJ, Wedell N (2011). Some inconvenient truths about sex chromosome dosage compensation and the potential role of sexual conflict. Evolution, 65(8), 2133-2144. Abstract. Author URL.

Lewis Z, Champion de Crespigny FE, Sait SM, Tregenza T, Wedell N (2011). Wolbachia infection lowers fertile sperm transfer in a moth. Biol Lett, 7(2), 187-189. Abstract. Author URL.

Taylor ML, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2010). Attractive males do not sire superior daughters. Evolutionary Ecology, 24(1), 195-205. Abstract.

Narraway C, Hunt J, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2010). Genotype by envirnment interactions for female preference. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 23, 2550-2557.

Ingleby FC, Lewis Z, Wedell N (2010). Level of sperm competition promotes evolution of male ejaculate allocation patterns in a moth. ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, 80(1), 37-43. Author URL.

Price TAR, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2010). Polyandry prevents extinction. Curr Biol, 20(5), 471-475. Abstract. Author URL.

Lewis Z, Brakefield PM, Wedell N (2010). Speed or sperm: a potential trade-off between development and reproduction in the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). European Journal of Entomology, 107(1), 55-59. Abstract.

Wedell N (2010). Variation in male courtship costs in butterflies. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(9), 1385-1391. Abstract.

Wedell N, Wiklund C, Bergström J (2009). Coevolution of non-fertile sperm and female receptivity in a butterfly. Biol Lett, 5(5), 678-681. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Lewis Z, Wedell N (2009). Male moths reduce sperm investment in relatives. Animal Behaviour, 77(6), 1547-1550. Abstract.

Hosken DJ, Stockley P, Tregenza T, Wedell N (2009). Monogamy and the battle of the sexes. Annu Rev Entomol, 54, 361-378. Abstract. Author URL.

Higgins SL, Hosken DJ, Wedell N (2009). Phenotypic and genetic variation in male genitalia in the seedbug, Lygaeus equestris (Heteroptera). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 98(2), 400-405. Abstract.

Hornett EA, Charlat S, Wedell N, Jiggins CD, Hurst GDD (2009). Rapidly Shifting Sex Ratio across a Species Range. Current Biology, 19(19), 1628-1631. Abstract.

Price T, Lewis Z, Wedell N (2009). Sperm dumping as a defense against meiotic drive. J Biol, 8(1). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Charlat S, Duplouy A, Hornett EA, Dyson EA, Davies N, Roderick GK, Wedell N, Hurst GD (2009). The joint evolutionary histories of Wolbachia and mitochondria in Hypolimnas bolina. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 9(1).

Background. The interaction between the Blue Moon butterfly, Hypolimnas bolina, and Wolbachia has attracted interest because of the high prevalence of male-killing achieved within the species, the ecological consequences of this high prevalence, the intensity of selection on the host to suppress the infection, and the presence of multiple Wolbachia infections inducing different phenotypes. We examined diversity in the co-inherited marker, mtDNA, and the partitioning of this between individuals of different infection status, as a means to investigate the population biology and evolutionary history of the Wolbachia infections. Results. Part of the mitochondrial COI gene was sequenced from 298 individuals of known infection status revealing ten different haplotypes. Despite very strong biological evidence that the sample represents a single species, the ten haplotypes did not fall within a monophyletic clade within the Hypolimnas genus, with one haplotype differing by 5% from the other nine. There were strong associations between infection status and mtDNA haplotype. The presence of wBol1 infection in association with strongly divergent haplotypes prompted closer examination of wBol1 genetic variation. This revealed the existence of two cryptic subtypes, wBol1a and wBol1b. The wBol1a infection, by far the most common, was in strict association with the single divergent mtDNA haplotype. The wBol1b infection was found with two haplotypes that were also observed in uninfected specimens. Finally, the wBol2 infection was associated with a large diversity of mtDNA haplotypes, most often shared with uninfected sympatric butterflies. Conclusion. This data overall supports the hypothesis that high prevalence of male-killing Wolbachia (wBol1) in H. bolina is associated with very high transmission efficiency rather than regular horizontal transmission. It also suggests this infection has undergone a recent selective sweep and was introduced in this species through introgression. In contrast, the sharing of haplotypes between wBol2-infected and uninfected individuals indicates that this strain is not perfectly transmitted and/or shows a significant level of horizontal transmission.

Abstract. Full text.

Smith DT, Hosken DJ, Ffrench-Constant RH, Wedell N (2009). Variation in sex peptide expression in D. melanogaster. Genet Res (Camb), 91(4), 237-242. Abstract. Author URL.

Avent TD, Price TAR, Wedell N (2008). Age-based female preference in the fruit fly Drosophila pseudoobscura. Animal Behaviour, 75(4), 1413-1421. Abstract.

Fischer K, Zimmer K, Wedell N (2008). Correlated responses to selection on female egg size in male reproductive traits in a butterfly\r. Evolutionary Ecology, 23, 389-402.

Champion de Crespigny, F.E. Hurst, L.D. & Wedell, N (2008). Do Wolbachia associated incompatibilities promote polyandry?\r. Evolution, 62, 107-122.

Price, T.A.R. Wedell, N. (2008). Evidence of age-based mate preference in the fly Drosophila pseudoobscura\r. Animal Behaviour

Snook RR, Chapman T, Moore PJ, Wedell N, Crudgington HS (2008). Interactions between the sexes: neglected perspectives on sexual selection and reproductive isolation. Evolutionary Ecology

Wedell N, Tregenza T, Simmons LW (2008). Nuptial gifts fail to resolve a sexual conflict in an insect. BMC Evol Biol, 8 Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Wedell, N. (2008). Selfish genetic elements and sexual selection: their impact on male fertility\r. Genetica, 132, 295-307.

Price TAR, Hodgson DJ, Lewis Z, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2008). Selfish genetic elements promote polyandry in a fly. Science, 322(5905), 1241-1243. Abstract. Author URL.

Price TAR, Bretman AJ, Avent TD, Snook RR, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2008). Sex ratio distorter reduces sperm competitive ability in an insect. Evolution, 62(7), 1644-1652. Abstract. Author URL.

Taylor ML, Wedell, N. Hosken, D.J. (2008). Sexual selection and female fitness in Drosophila simulans. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62, 721-728.

Chapman, T. Moore, P.J. Wedell, N. (2008). Sexual selection and reproductive isolation. Evolutionary Ecology

Lewis Z, Price TAR, Wedell N (2008). Sperm competition, immunity, selfish genes and cancer. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 65(20), 3241-3254. Abstract.

Champion De Crespigny FE, Wedell N (2008). The impact of anaesthetic technique on survival and fertility in Drosophila. Physiological Entomology, 33(4), 310-315. Abstract.

Hornett EA, Duplouy AMR, Davies N, Roderick GK, Wedell N, Hurst GDD, Charlat S (2008). You can't keep a good parasite down: Evolution of a male-killer suppressor uncovers cytoplasmic incompatibility. Evolution, 62(5), 1258-1263. Abstract.

Wedell, N. (2007). Effect of adult feeding on ejaculate production in the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).\r. Journal of Insect Behaviour, 20, 201-213.

Lewis Z, Wedell N (2007). Effect of adult feeding on male mating behaviour in the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Journal of Insect Behavior, 20(2), 201-213. Abstract.

Hornett, E.A. Fullard, J.H. Davies, N. (2007). Extraordinary flux in sex-ratio. Science, 317: 214

Charlat S, Reuter M, Dyson EA, Hornett EA, Duplouy A, Davies N, Roderick GK, Wedell N, Hurst GDD (2007). Male-Killing Bacteria Trigger a Cycle of Increasing Male Fatigue and Female Promiscuity. Current Biology, 17(3), 273-277. Abstract.

Rueter, M. Dyson, E.A. Hornett, E.A. (2007). Male-killing bacteria increase female mating frequency. Current Biology, 17: 273-277

Champion De Crespigny FE, Wedell N (2007). Mate preferences in Drosophila infected with Wolbachia?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61(8), 1229-1235. Abstract.

Champion de Crespigny, F.E. & Wedell, N (2007). Mate preferences in Wolbachia infected Drosophila\r. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61, 1229-1235.

Wedell, N. (2007). Selfish genetic elements and sexual selection: their impact on male fertility. Genetica

Wedell N (2007). Sperm competition and ejaculate evolution. Soc Reprod Fertil Suppl, 65, 115-135. Abstract. Author URL.

Hurst G, Charlat S, Hornett E, Wedell N (2007). Survival of the fastest. Planet Earth(AUTUMN). Abstract.

Taylor, M, Wedell, N. Hosken, D.J. (2007). The heritability of attractiveness. Current Biology, 17, R959-R960.

Dyson, E.A. Hornett, E.A. Duplouy, A.M.R. (2006). Competing selfish genetic elements in the butterfly Hypolimnas bolina. \r. Current Biology, 16, 2453-2458.

Dall SRX, McNamara JM, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2006). Debating sexual selection and mating strategies. Science, 312(5774), 689-697. Author URL.

Mcnamara, J.M. Wedell, N. Hosken, D.J. (2006). Debating sexual selection and mating strategies. Science, 312

Wedell N, Charlat S, Davies N, Duploy AMR (2006). Evolution of male killer suppression in a natural population. PLoS Biology, 4(9). Full text.

Tregenza, T. Simmons, L.W. Wedell, N. & Zuk, M. (2006). Female preference for male courtship song and its role as a signal of immune function and condition. Animal Behaviour, 72, 809-118.

de Crespigny FEC, Pitt TD, Wedell N (2006). Increased male mating rate in Drosophila is associated with Wolbachia infection. J Evol Biol, 19(6), 1964-1972. Abstract. Author URL.

Tregenza T, Wedell N, Chapman T (2006). Introduction. Sexual conflict: a new paradigm?. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 361(1466), 229-234. Author URL.

Wedell N (2006). Male genotype affects female fitness in a paternally investing species. Evolution, 60(8), 1638-1645.

Wedell, N. Beveridge, M. Tregenza, T. (2006). Post-copulatory inbreeding avoidance by female crickets only revealed by molecular markers. Molecular Ecology, 15(12), 3817-3824.

Wedell, N. Chapman, T.C. (2006). Sexual conflict - a new paradigm?. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 361, 229-234.

Kvarnemo, L. Lessells, C.M. Tregenza (2006). Sexual conflict and life histories. Animal Behaviour, 71, 999-1011.

Andrews, T. Ingrey, H. Dunn, A. (2006). Strategic sperm allocation under parasitic sex ratio distortion. Biology Letters, 2(1), 78-80.

Wedell, N. (2006). The role of selfish genetic elements in sexual selection. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B

Ballantyne, G.A. Wedell, N. (2006). Variation in the cost to females of the sexual conflict over mating in the seed bug Lygaeus equestris (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae).\r. Animal Behaviour, 72, 313-321.

Shuker DM, Ballantyne GA, Wedell N (2006). Variation in the cost to females of the sexual conflict over mating in the seed bug, Lygaeus equestris. Animal Behaviour, 72(2), 313-321. Abstract.

Pitt, T. Wedell, N. (2006). Wolbachia increases male mating rate in Drosophila. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 19: 1964-1972

Wedell N, Champion de Crespigny FE (2006). Wolbachia infection reduces sperm competitive ability in an insect. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 273(1593), 1455-1458.

De Crespigny FEC, Wedell N (2006). Wolbachia infection reduces sperm competitive ability in an insect. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273(1593), 1455-1458. Abstract.

Champion de Crespigny, F. E. Butlin, R. K. & Wedell, N. (2005). Can cytoplasmic incompatibility inducing Wolbachia promote the evolution of mate preferences?. \r. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 18, 967-977.

Dall SRX, Wedell N (2005). Evolutionary conflict: sperm wars, phantom inseminations. Curr Biol, 15(19), R801-R803. Abstract. Author URL.

Dall SRX, Wedell, N. (2005). Evolutionary conflict: sperm wars, phantom inseminations. Current Biology, 19, R801-803.

Wedell, N. (2005). Female receptivity in butterflies and moths. Journal of Experimental Biology, 208: 3433-3440

Ritchie, M.G. (2004). Male age, mating status and nuptial gift quality in a bushcricket. \r. Animal Behaviour, 67, 1059-1065.

Bretman AJ, Wedell N, Tregenza T (2004). Molecular evidence of post-copulatory inbreeding avoidance in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 271(1535), 159-164.

Wedell, N. Tregenza, T. (2004). Polyandry and inbreeding avoidance: Evidence from the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus\r. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 271, 159-164.

Tregenza T, Hosken DJ, Ward PI, Wedell N (2003). Maternal effects on offspring depend on female mating pattern and offspring environment in yellow dung flies. Evolution, 57(2), 297-304.

Wedell N, Karlsson B (2003). Paternal investment directly affects female reproductive effort in an insect. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 270(1528), 2065-2071.

Hosken DJ, Garner, T.W.J. Tregenza, T. Wedell N, Ward PI (2003). Superior sperm competitors sire higher quality young. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 270, 1933-1938.

Ward PI, Wedell, N. Hosken, D.J. Tregenza T (2002). Measuring the sperm competition successes of field males of the yellow dung fly. Ecological Entomology, 27, 763-765.

Wedell, N. Hosken, D.J. Tregenza, T. (2002). Measuring the sperm competition successes of field males. \r. Ecological Entomology, 27, 763-765.

Wiklund, C. Cook, P.A. (2002). Monandry and polyandry as alternative lifestyles in a butterfly.\r. Behavioral Ecology, 13, 450-455.

Tregenza, T. Wedell, N. (2002). Oviposition preference and geographic specialization by the mrymecophilous butterfly Jalmenus evagoras (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in response to attendant ants. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 15, 861-870.

Fraser AM, Tregenza T, Wedell N, Elgar MA, Pierce NE (2002). Oviposition tests of ant preference in a myrmecophilous butterfly. JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, 15(5), 861-870. Author URL.

Tregenza T, Wedell N (2002). Polyandrous females avoid costs of inbreeding. Nature, 415(6867), 71-73.

Gage, M.J.G. Parker, G.A. (2002). Sperm competition, male prudence and sperm limited females. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17: 313-320

Wedell, N. (2001). Female remating in butterflies: interaction between female genotype and non-fertile sperm. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 14, 746-754.

Tregenza T, Butlin RK, Wedell N (2000). Evolutionary biology - Sexual conflict and speciation. NATURE, 407(6801), 149-150. Author URL.

Tregenza T, Wedell N (2000). Genetic compatibility, mate choice and patterns of parentage: invited review. Mol Ecol, 9(8), 1013-1027. Abstract. Author URL.

Tregenza T, Butlin RK, Wedell N (2000). Sexual conflict and speciation. Nature, 407(6801), 149-150. Author URL.

Tregenza, T. (1999). Successful fathers sire successful sons. Evolution, 53, 620-625.

Wedell, N. (1998). Benefits of multiple mates in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Evolution, 52, 1726-1730.

Wedell, N. (1997). Definitive evidence for cuticular pheromones in a cricket. Animal Behaviour, 54, 979-984.

Wedell, N. (1997). Natural selection bias?. Nature, 386

Chapters

Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2010). The Evolution of Primary Sexual Characters in Animals. In Leonard JL, Córdoba-Aguilar A (Eds.) The Evolution of Primary Sexual Characters in Animals, Oxford Univ Pr, 307-331. Abstract.

Wedell, N. (2007). Sperm competition and ejaculate evolution. In Roldan E, Gomendio M (Eds.) Spermatology, 115-135.

Wedell, N. (2005). Sperm competition in butterflies and moths. In Fellowes MDE, Holloway GJ, Rolff J (Eds.) Insect Evolutionary Ecology, CABI Publishing, 49-81.

Publications by year

In Press

Hosken DJ, Taylor, M. Hoyle, K. Higgins, S. Wedell N (In Press). Attractive males have greater success in sperm competition. Current Biology

Perry JC, Joag R, Hosken DJ, Wedell N, Radwan J, Wigby S (In Press). Experimental evolution under hyper-promiscuity in Drosophila melanogaster. BMC Evol Biol, 16(1).

Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Hosken DJ, Hawkes MF, Gamble CE, Turner ECR, Carey MR, Wedell N (In Press). Intralocus sexual conflict and insecticide resistance. Proceedings B Full text.

Ingleby FC, Lewis Z, Wedell N (In Press). Level of sperm comeptition promotes evolution of male ejaculate allocation patterns in a moth. Animal Behaviour Abstract.

Wigmore, C. Hodgson, D.J. Wedell, N. (In Press). Multiple mating increases female fitness in Drosophila simulans. Animal Behaviour

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Skeats A, Wedell N (In Press). Temperature can shape a cline in polyandry, but only genetic variation can sustain it over time. Behavioral Ecology Abstract. Full text.

Hosken DJ, Alonzo SH, Wedell N (In Press). Why aren’t females ornamented more often?.

Hosken DJ, Alonzo SH, Wedell N (In Press). Why aren’t signals of female quality more common?. Full text.

2019

Ono K, Price T, Wedell N (2019). Does mating negatively affect female immune defences in insects?. Animal Biology, 69, 117-136. Full text.

2018

Hosken DJ, Archer R, House C, Wedell N (2018). Penis evolution across species: divergence and diversity. Nature Reviews Urology Full text.

2017

Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2017). Three billion years of research and development. NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, 1 Full text.

2016

2015

Holman L, Price TAR, Wedell N, Kokko H (2015). Coevolutionary dynamics of polyandry and sex-linked meiotic drive. Evolution, 69(3), 709-720. Abstract. Full text.

Wedell N (2015). Nina Wedell. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 25(22), R1062-R1063. Author URL.

Rostant WG, Kay C, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2015). Sexual conflict maintains variation at an insecticide resistance locus. BMC Biol, 13 Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

2014

Mank JE, Hosken DJ, Wedell N (2014). Conflict on the sex chromosomes: cause, effect, and complexity. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol, 6(12). Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Price TAR, Bretman A, Gradilla AC, Reger J, Taylor ML, Giraldo-Perez P, Campbell A, Hurst GDD, Wedell N (2014). Does polyandry control population sex ratio via regulation of a selfish gene?. Proceedings. Biological sciences / the Royal Society, 281(1783). Abstract.

Duffy E, Joag R, Radwan J, Wedell N, Hosken DJ (2014). Inbreeding alters intersexual fitness correlations in Drosophila simulans. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 4(17), 3330-3338. Author URL. Full text.

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Polyandry in nature: a global analysis. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 29(7), 376-383. Abstract.

Taylor ML, Price TAR, Wedell N (2014). Polyandry in nature: a global analysis. Trends Ecol Evol, 29(7), 376-383. Abstract. Author URL. Full text.

Arundell KL, Wedell N, Dunn AM (2014). The impact of predation risk and of parasitic infection on parental care in brooding crustaceans. Animal Behaviour, 96, 97-105. Abstract.

2013