Fundamental Mechanisms of Reproduction: Viviparity in an Evolutionary Context
Supervisors:
Prof Kathryn Elmer, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Prof Maureen Bain, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Prof Neil Evans, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Summary:
Live-bearing reproduction (viviparity) is a key evolutionary innovation in amniotes, enabling extended maternal–foetal communication and influencing traits such as immune tolerance, nutrient transport, and birth timing. While viviparity is well-known in mammals, it has evolved independently in other lineages, making it difficult to reconstruct its origins. This project uses the European lizard Zootoca vivipara, a uniquely bimodal species with both egg-laying and live-bearing populations, to investigate the physiological and gene regulatory basis of viviparity. Its recent evolutionary transition and simple placental structure make it an ideal model for studying early pregnancy evolution.
The research will compare reproductive tissues and gene expression between oviparous and viviparous individuals, quantify maternal–foetal communication using hormone assays, and explore foetal signalling through maternal tissue responses. These insights will advance understanding of reproductive trait evolution across amniotes.
The student will gain training in molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, histology, microscopy, hormone analysis, and bioinformatics. They will also develop skills in animal welfare, data management, and scientific communication. Working within a collaborative and experienced research group, including international partners, the student will contribute to resolving fundamental questions in reproductive biology and evolutionary development.