Comparative studies of inbreeding and evolution in non-model animal populations: a research proposal directed towards integrating ecological and evolutionary research on inbreeding. Specifically, my aim is to apply novel ecogenomics tools in the study of evolutionary consequences of inbreeding in non-model animal populations. At present, our understanding of inbreeding is dominated by studies of a small number of model organisms. I will undertake comparative studies on inbreeding effects in a genus of spiders containing independently evolved naturally inbreeding species as well as outcrossing sister species. The study of a naturally inbreeding animal species will provide unique insights to consequences of inbreeding for population genetic structure, genome-wide genetic diversity, and evolution of life history traits. Social spiders are not only unique because they naturally inbreed, but also by being cooperative and showing allomaternal brood care including self-sacrifice, and they evolve highly female-biased sex-ratios, a trait that is not well understood in diploid species. My research objectives are 1) to establish a robust phylogeny for comparative studies; 2) to quantify the effects of inbreeding on the genetic diversity within and between populations; 3) to estimate gene flow among inbred lineages to determine whether inbred lineages diversify but retain the potential for gene exchange, or undergo cryptic speciation; 4) to determine effects of inbreeding on gene expression; 5) to investigate the mechanism underlying the genetic sex determination system that cause female biased sex-ratios; and finally 6) to determine whether sex-ratio is under adaptive parental control in response to genetic relatedness and ecological constraints. Addressing these objectives will generate novel insights and expand current knowledge on the evolutionary ecology of inbreeding in wild animal populations.