We examined the publication records of a cohort 168 life scientists in field ecology and evolutionary biology to assess gender differences research performance. Clear discrepancies rate between men women appear very early their careers this has consequences for subsequent citation work. show that recently proposed index designed rank fairly is fact strongly biased against female researchers, advocate modified on more equitable basis.

Basal metabolic rate in mammals increases allometrically with body weight, irrespective of the taxonomic level chosen for analysis. Species' deviations from allometric curve (relative basal rates) are associated differences diet, habitat and affinity. When correlations taxonomy controlled for, only consistently significant association that remains is higher relative rates vertebrate eaters. Key-words: rates, diet habitat, mammals, comparative studies

Sexual conflict theory predicts an antagonistic coevolution, with each sex evolving adaptations and counter–adaptations to overcome a temporary dominance of the other over control paternity. Polyandry allows sexual selection operate after mating has commenced, male female interests competing for fertilization. There are numerous examples paternity, but few studies have unambiguously revealed control. Attributing variance in paternity females is often difficult since influences cannot be...

Covariation in reproductive variables across 26 families of teleost fish is examined to investigate an evolutionary trade-off between the size and number offspring. Clutch positively correlated with length, but there no significant correlation egg volume length. There a significant, negative clutch after removing effects body size, suggesting trade-off. This pattern found within both freshwater marine fish. The product not either or size. -Author

Abstract Sexual selection, through female choice and/or male–male competition, has influenced the nature and direction of sexual size dimorphism in numerous species. However, few studies have examined influence sperm competition on dimorphism. The orb-web spider Nephila edulis a polygamous mating system extreme Additionally, frequency distribution male body is extremely skewed with most males being small large. duration copulation, cannibalism been identified as significant factors...

Habitat fragmentation can leave formerly widespread habitat types represented by only small ‘islands’, and the conservation of these remnants is frequently compromised ongoing disturbance. In northern Victoria, grazing woodland sheep cattle has profound effects on vegetation structure removing understorey ground vegetation. To investigate pressure remnant grey box Eucalyptus microcarpa in we surveyed invertebrate fauna ungrazed remnants, grazed pasture. The number invertebrates caught...

We used a replicated sampling program to examine the use of roadside corridors as habitat by native mammals. Our procedure compared abundance and diversity mammals in remnant forest, pasture, two types corridor. Fixed transects were established these four at six replicate sites. Spotlight, live-trap, daytime observation surveys census techniques. Few detected spotlighting revealed higher total density than forests, indicating provide important habitat. Nevertheless, number species using...

Models of age-related mate choice predict female preference for older males as they have proven survival ability. However, these models rarely address differences in sperm age and male mating history when evaluating the potential benefits to females from partners. We used a novel experimental design assess simultaneously relative importance three parameters hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus. In two-part experiment we first explored success subsequently examined consequences age, on fecundity...

The degree and direction of sexual dimorphism varies widely, but in several taxa orb-weaving spiders, including Nephila, males may be less than one-tenth the size females. This difference is commonly attributed to selection through precopulation cannibalism: females either fail detect very small males, or ignore them as potential prey items. However, there often for male-male competition these species because can found on web a single female. We investigated experimentally effects...

The traditional paradigm of male polygamy and female monogamy has been replaced by the recognition that both sexes may typically mate with several partners. As a consequence, much attention focused on evolution polyandry, while evolutionary significance monogyny (male monogamy) remains poorly understood. Monogyny, taxonomically widespread mating system includes dramatic examples self-sacrifice, is predicted when benefits paternal investment exceed those searching for additional mates....

Sexual cannibalism in orb-weaving spiders commonly takes place before copulation, even among virgin females. This behavior is curious because, although the female may obtain a nutritious meal, she risks remaining unmated. We present an economic model that accounts for sexual by females using stochastic dynamic programming. The considers female's expected reproductive output (which function of number copulations has achieved) and her body size, both which will depend upon decision to either...

Sex and aggregation pheromones consist of species-specific blends chemicals. The way in which different species' have evolved has been the subject some debate. Theoretical predictions suggest that differences between species arisen not through accruing small changes, but major shifts chemical composition. Using data on 34 bark beetle from two genera, Dendroctonus Ips, we investigated how distributions components their pheromone mirror phylogenetic relationships. We tested whether there were...