Plasticity in sperm sex ratios: the how and “Y” of male-driven sex allocation

A new study published in Evolution Letters reveals that when male house mice develop in a male-biased environment, they go on to produce more Y-bearing sperm as adults – making them more likely to produce sons. Here, author Dr Renee Firman tells us the story behind her fascinating research. Research on offspring sex allocation has …

Mutation accumulation in old growth trees: the raw material for natural selection

In our new author blog, Vincent Hanlon & Professor Sally Aitken explain how high rates of somatic mutation can influence the evolution of long-lived trees. The apical meristems of plants consist of somatic cells that behave in some ways as though they were part of a segregated germline. They give rise to gametes, they divide …