Department of Biology:

LEONARD NUNNEY

Professor of Biology
Director of the Graduate Research Unit in Evolution and Ecology
Office: 3306 Spieth Hall
Phone (951) 827-5011

E-mail: leonard.nunney@ucr.edu

Degree:
Ph.D., University of Nottingham, England 1977

My research is in population and evolutionary genetics, with an emphasis on the application of basic theory to practical problems. Projects include:

The population genetics of small conserved populations. Current areas of emphasis: effective population size, adaptation in a changing environment, and the role of wildlife linkages in long-term conservation strategies.
The theory of selection at different levels of organization, such as individual cell versus individual organism versus group. Current emphasis: population genetics of cancer).
The role of genetic trade-offs in life history evolution, using primarily Drosophila. Current emphasis: sperm competition.
The application of evolutionary theory to pest control. Current emphasis: a genomic study of the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease of grapevines (Xylella fastidiosa).

I am a member of the Center for Conservation Biology, which promotes conservation research. I participate in the Evolutionary Biology track of the Biology graduate program and in the Genetics Interdepartmental graduate program. I also participate in the Intercampus Research Program on Experimental Evolution (UCIRPEE)

Additional information on current research...

Conservation genetics: Basic research in conservation genetics is essential to designing and managing rare and endangered species. For some time I have been developing theory for understanding the relationship between population size and its genetic equivalent, effective population size (N_e). N_e is central in determining how much genetic variation is maintained in a population. I have been investigating how wildlife corridors can be used to maximize N_e and, in doing so, facilite the adaptation necessary for a population to persist in the face of a changing environment. Related empirical work has included a study of genetic variation in the endangered species Stephens' kangaroo rat, Dipodomys stephensi.

Levels of selection and cancer: From an evolutionary perspective, cancer cells are selfish elements that destroy the social group (the individual). Starting from this perspective, I have developed a model of multistage carcinogenesis and used it to develop a predictive framework for understanding the evolution of cancer suppression. In particular, it allowed me to provide the first insights into the factors that determine the frequency of inherited cancers.

Sperm competition in Drosophila: Female Drosophila store sperm and males have evolved mechanisms for both male-male sperm competition and male manipulation of female behavior, primarily through seminal fluid proteins called Acps (accessory proteins). It has been suggested taht sperm competition drives a coevolutionary cycle between males and females that may be important in driving speciation (the sexual conflict hypothesis). We are testing some of the predictions of this model using a combination of behavioral tests and DNA sequencing to compare two partially isolated strains of D. melanogaster, the cosmopolitan and Zimbabwe strains.

A genomic study of Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium causing Pierce's Disease: The bacterium X. fastidiosa has a number of genetically distinct host-plant strains. Using data from the complete genome, we are investigating the genetic differences between these host strains to identify the genes responsible for pathogenicity, by identifying the signature of adaptive evolution.

Some Representative Recent Publications ...

Population Genetics and Conservation

Reznick, D. N., L. Nunney, and H. Rodd 2004. Empirical evidence for rapid evolution. In "Evolutionary Conservation Biology" (R. Ferriere, U. Dieckmann and D. Couvet, eds). Cambridge Univ. Press. pp. 101-118.
Nunney, L. 2003. The cost of natural selection revisited. Ann. Zool. Fenn. 40: 185-194.
Nunney, L. 2002. The effective size of annual plant populations: the interaction of a seed bank with fluctuating plant numbers. Amer. Natur. 160:195-204.
Metcalf, A.E., L. Nunney, and B.C. Hyman. 2001. Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation within the restricted range of the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat, Dipodomys stephensi. Evolution 55:1233-1244.
Nunney, L. 2000. The limits to knowledge in conservation genetics: the value of effective population size. Evol. Biol. 32:179-194.

Levels of Selection - Theory and Applications

Nunney, L. 2003. The population genetics of multistage carcinogenesis. Proc. Roy. Soc. B. In Press.
Stouthamer, R., M. van Tilborg, H. de Jong, L. Nunney, and R.F. Luck. 2001. Selfish element maintains sex in natural populations of a parasitoid wasp. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 268:617-622.
Nunney, L. 1999. Lineage selection and the evolution of multistep carcinogenesis. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 266:493-498.

Life History Evolution

McKean, K. A. and L. Nunney 2005. Bateman’s principle and immunity: Phenotypically plastic reproductive strategies predict changes in immunological sex differences. Evolution. In Press.
Panhuis, T. M., W. J. Swanson, and L. Nunney 2003. Population genetics of accessory gland proteins and sexual behavior in Drosophila melanogaster populations from evolution canyon. Evolution 57: 2785-2791.
Reznick, D., C. Ghalambor and L. Nunney. 2002. The evolution of senescence in fish. Mech. Ageing Dev. 123:773-789.
McKean, K.A. and L. Nunney. 2001. Increased sexual activity reduces male immunocompetence in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 98:7904-7909.

Applied Evolutionary Genomics and Population Genetics

Nunney, L. and E. L. Schuenzel 2005. Detecting natural selection at the molecular level: a re-examination of some "classic" examples. J. Mol. Evol. In Press.
Schuenzel, E. L., M. Scally, R. Stouthamer, and L. Nunney. 2005. The multi-gene phylogenetic study of clonal diversity and divergence in North American strains of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. In Press.
Nunney, L. 2003. Managing small populations: A population genetic perspective. In "Quality Control and Production of Biological Control Agents: Theory and Testing Procedures" (Ed. J.C. van Lenteren) CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. Pp. 73-87.

Recent Teaching....

Biology 5C, Introductory Evolution and Ecology
Biology 108, Introductory Population Genetics
Biology 119, Introduction to Genomics and Bioinformatics
Biology 214, Population Genetics




BIOLOGY HOME ABOUT US PEOPLE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COURSES WEEKLY SEMINARS NEWS/EVENTS LINKS NATURAL RESERVES UCIRPEE NERE CONTACT PHOTO GALLERY JOBS	LEONARD NUNNEY Professor of Biology Director of the Graduate Research Unit in Evolution and Ecology Office: 3306 Spieth Hall Phone (951) 827-5011 E-mail: leonard.nunney@ucr.edu Degree: Ph.D., University of Nottingham, England 1977 My research is in population and evolutionary genetics, with an emphasis on the application of basic theory to practical problems. Projects include: The population genetics of small conserved populations. Current areas of emphasis: effective population size, adaptation in a changing environment, and the role of wildlife linkages in long-term conservation strategies. The theory of selection at different levels of organization, such as individual cell versus individual organism versus group. Current emphasis: population genetics of cancer). The role of genetic trade-offs in life history evolution, using primarily Drosophila. Current emphasis: sperm competition. The application of evolutionary theory to pest control. Current emphasis: a genomic study of the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease of grapevines (Xylella fastidiosa). I am a member of the Center for Conservation Biology, which promotes conservation research. I participate in the Evolutionary Biology track of the Biology graduate program and in the Genetics Interdepartmental graduate program. I also participate in the Intercampus Research Program on Experimental Evolution (UCIRPEE) Additional information on current research... Conservation genetics: Basic research in conservation genetics is essential to designing and managing rare and endangered species. For some time I have been developing theory for understanding the relationship between population size and its genetic equivalent, effective population size (N_e). N_e is central in determining how much genetic variation is maintained in a population. I have been investigating how wildlife corridors can be used to maximize N_e and, in doing so, facilite the adaptation necessary for a population to persist in the face of a changing environment. Related empirical work has included a study of genetic variation in the endangered species Stephens' kangaroo rat, Dipodomys stephensi. Levels of selection and cancer: From an evolutionary perspective, cancer cells are selfish elements that destroy the social group (the individual). Starting from this perspective, I have developed a model of multistage carcinogenesis and used it to develop a predictive framework for understanding the evolution of cancer suppression. In particular, it allowed me to provide the first insights into the factors that determine the frequency of inherited cancers. *Sperm competition in Drosophila:* Female Drosophila store sperm and males have evolved mechanisms for both male-male sperm competition and male manipulation of female behavior, primarily through seminal fluid proteins called Acps (accessory proteins). It has been suggested taht sperm competition drives a coevolutionary cycle between males and females that may be important in driving speciation (the sexual conflict hypothesis). We are testing some of the predictions of this model using a combination of behavioral tests and DNA sequencing to compare two partially isolated strains of D. melanogaster, the cosmopolitan and Zimbabwe strains. *A genomic study of Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium causing Pierce's Disease:* The bacterium X. fastidiosa has a number of genetically distinct host-plant strains. Using data from the complete genome, we are investigating the genetic differences between these host strains to identify the genes responsible for pathogenicity, by identifying the signature of adaptive evolution. Some Representative Recent Publications ... Population Genetics and Conservation Reznick, D. N., L. Nunney, and H. Rodd 2004. Empirical evidence for rapid evolution. In "Evolutionary Conservation Biology" (R. Ferriere, U. Dieckmann and D. Couvet, eds). Cambridge Univ. Press. pp. 101-118. Nunney, L. 2003. The cost of natural selection revisited. Ann. Zool. Fenn. 40: 185-194. Nunney, L. 2002. The effective size of annual plant populations: the interaction of a seed bank with fluctuating plant numbers. Amer. Natur. 160:195-204. Metcalf, A.E., L. Nunney, and B.C. Hyman. 2001. Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation within the restricted range of the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat, Dipodomys stephensi. Evolution 55:1233-1244. Nunney, L. 2000. The limits to knowledge in conservation genetics: the value of effective population size. Evol. Biol. 32:179-194. Levels of Selection - Theory and Applications Nunney, L. 2003. The population genetics of multistage carcinogenesis. Proc. Roy. Soc. B. In Press. Stouthamer, R., M. van Tilborg, H. de Jong, L. Nunney, and R.F. Luck. 2001. Selfish element maintains sex in natural populations of a parasitoid wasp. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 268:617-622. Nunney, L. 1999. Lineage selection and the evolution of multistep carcinogenesis. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 266:493-498. Life History Evolution McKean, K. A. and L. Nunney 2005. Bateman’s principle and immunity: Phenotypically plastic reproductive strategies predict changes in immunological sex differences. Evolution. In Press. Panhuis, T. M., W. J. Swanson, and L. Nunney 2003. Population genetics of accessory gland proteins and sexual behavior in Drosophila melanogaster populations from evolution canyon. Evolution 57: 2785-2791. Reznick, D., C. Ghalambor and L. Nunney. 2002. The evolution of senescence in fish. Mech. Ageing Dev. 123:773-789. McKean, K.A. and L. Nunney. 2001. Increased sexual activity reduces male immunocompetence in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 98:7904-7909. Applied Evolutionary Genomics and Population Genetics Nunney, L. and E. L. Schuenzel 2005. Detecting natural selection at the molecular level: a re-examination of some "classic" examples. J. Mol. Evol. In Press. Schuenzel, E. L., M. Scally, R. Stouthamer, and L. Nunney. 2005. The multi-gene phylogenetic study of clonal diversity and divergence in North American strains of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. In Press. Nunney, L. 2003. Managing small populations: A population genetic perspective. In "Quality Control and Production of Biological Control Agents: Theory and Testing Procedures" (Ed. J.C. van Lenteren) CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. Pp. 73-87. Recent Teaching.... Biology 5C, Introductory Evolution and Ecology Biology 108, Introductory Population Genetics Biology 119, Introduction to Genomics and Bioinformatics Biology 214, Population Genetics
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