Dr. Sue McRae studies the evolution of sociality in birds. She is investigating family relationships in the Gray-capped Social Weaver, in collaboration with Prof. Stephen Emlen (Dept. of Neurobiology and Behavior). This East African weaverbird lives in extended, multi-generational family groups in which more than one pair commonly breeds. Sue has developed genetic markers with which to determine parentage and degrees of relatedness between individuals (for example, aunts, uncles, full siblings, half siblings etc). In addition to reconstructing family histories, degrees of relatedness will be used to compare the behavior of individuals toward particular family members. The genetic research complements extensive field investigations into the behavior and ecology of this species being carried out by Prof. Emlen and Kenyan investigators.
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Above:
Each individual bird has a unique genetic profile much like those generated for humans by forensic scientists. Genetic profiles are generated from data produced in digital format by an automated DNA sequencer and appear as colored bands on this computer display. These are then analyzed and compared using specialized software.
Left: An adult and a juvenile Gray-capped Social Weaver. The sexes look identical, but we are able to sex birds in the lab using a sex-specific molecular marker. |
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