Research project The evolution of the extraordinary diversity of insect sperm shape
Sperm are the most morphologically diverse animal cell. For example, insects have some of the smallest (<2µm) and longest (6cm) sperm and sperm shapes with 0 to >100 flagella. This extraordinary diversity presents a puzzle: given that sperm have a single biological function – fertilization - what causes this diversity and in turn, how do sperm with such different shapes move for fertilization? In insects, sperm move within the physical confines and the chemical milieu of the female reproductive tract for fertilization. Thus, the answer to this puzzle lies in linking sperm shape, motility, and the role of the female reproductive tract.
Our research will address this puzzle through an interdisciplinary approach by combining development of innovative biophysical methods and novel applied mathematics, and leveraging evolutionary variation in sperm shape. The work will overcome historical challenges in understanding the forces impacting the astounding evolution of sperm form diversity.
Project description
This project will determine factors that influence the evolution of insect sperm form diversity through three objectives that quantitatively test the link between diversity in sperm form to performance and the internal fertilizing environment. To achieve this, our proposed research plan leverages state-of-the-art comparative methods, cutting edge experimental vivo and in vitro involving the use of transgenic insects and innovative microfluidic devices and microrheology that mimic the biophysical conditions of the female reproductive tract, and the use of novel fluid dynamic models linking sperm form with performance. This multidisciplinary work brings together complementary research programs to provide an integrated opportunity for a step-change in understanding the evolution of sperm form diversity. We accomplish this through three objectives.
- Objective 1 – Chart the evolution of sperm shape, relating differences between sperm morphological diversity and aspects of the internal fertilization environment
- Objective 2 – Characterize sperm form and female reproductive tract evolution
- Objective 3 – Connect the relationship between sperm form and motility with the biophysical world of the female reproductive tract
Project members
Project managers
Rhonda Snook
Professor
