Effects of variation across mitochondrial genomes, the X chromosome, and Wolbachia endosymbiont: evolutionary implications of asymmetric inheritance for the two sexes

Certain genetic regions exhibit sexually asymmetric patterns of inheritance. This thesis explores the impact of the asymmetrically inherited cytoplasmic genes, such as the mitochondrial genome, the Wolbachia endosymbiont, and the X chromosome on key traits for the two sexes. This work aims to elucidate whether the evolution of genetic variation present for these key regions may underpin the sex differences commonly observed in the expression of life-history traits. The findings from this work indicate an important role of the X chromosome, cytoplasmic genes and their epistatic interactions in determining key traits and in some cases, sex-differences in fertility and lifespan.