Elmer Lab

by J. Smout Fieldwork update:  Summer 2024 saw the start of a new phase of research on our field site in the Gailtal region of Austria. The site hosts a hybrid zone of oviparous (egg laying) and viviparous (live bearing) lineages of common lizards, Zootoca vivipara. Past research by Elmer Lab members and alumni has focussed on understanding the genetic architecture of viviparity and oviparity as well as investigating differences in reproductive investment, and reproductive success of the different lineages and hybrids.  Our new project, funded by a NERC Pushing the Frontiers grant, centres on a controlled breeding experiment to take place in situ at the hybrid zone. By setting up experimental crosses between oviparous, viviparous, and hybrid lizards of both sexes and by keeping the offspring for the duration of the project, we can address gaps in our existing knowledge of the hybrid zone such as differences in the inclusive fitness of male vs. female lizards and how hybridisat...

 In a new paper that both develops a method and evaluates it, John Smout publishes on primary cell culture from lizard oviduct or uterus tissue Published in Experimental Cell Research   This was a collaboration between our lab and the cell culture expertise of Mark McLaughlin at the Vet School. It is part of John's PhD work, which was funded from the University of Glasgow MVLS-DTP Abstract Reproduction by egg-laying (oviparity) or live-bearing (viviparity) is a genetically determined trait fundamental to the biology of amniotes. Squamates are an emerging model for the genetics of reproductive mode yet lack cell culture models valuable for exploring molecular mechanisms. Here, we report a novel primary culture model for reproductive biology: cell cultures derived from the oviduct tissues (infundibulum, uterus and vagina) of oviparous and viviparous common lizards (Lacertidae: Zootoca vivipara) . We maintained and expanded these cultures for over 100 days, including repeated sub...