Evolution of allorecognition molecules

In this project, we will be looking at the evolution of the FuHC by doing a wold-wide survey of FuHC polymorphisms and correlating that with known migrations of Botryllus. We have recently found that FuHC polymorphism can be maintained by an unusual process whereby FuHC homozygotes die non-randomly prior to sexual maturity, which would select for FuHC diversity, even in small, recently founded populations. In addition, single-locus allorecognition exists in many species of the botryllid ascidians, thus we have the ability to do trans-species comparisons.