A5067625170- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Mentoring and Academic Development
- Collembola Taxonomy and Ecology Studies
- Climate Change Communication and Perception
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Digital Marketing and Social Media
- Diversity and Career in Medicine
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Career Development and Diversity
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
University of East Anglia
2022-2024
University of Florida
2019-2023
University of St Andrews
2014-2018
University of Oxford
2013-2014
Studies of mating preferences have largely neglected the potential effects individuals encountering their previous mates ('directly sexually familiar'), or new that share similarities to mates, e.g. from same family and/or environment ('phenotypically familiar'). Here, we show male and female Drosophila melanogaster respond direct phenotypic sexual familiarity in fundamentally different ways. We exposed a single focal two partners. In first experiment, one partner was novel (not previously...
It is now clear in many species that male and female genital evolution has been shaped by sexual selection. However, it historically difficult to confirm correlations between morphology fitness, as traits are complex manipulation tends impair function significantly. In this study, we investigate the functional of elongate intromittent organ (or processus) seed bug Lygaeus simulans , two ways. We first use micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) flash-freezing reconstruct high resolution...
Conferences are an integral part of academia, providing researchers with the opportunity to collaborate and disseminate their research. Traditionally these conferences have been in-person, but COVID-19 restrictions growing recognition systematic barriers led many academic societies reimagine conference format. Social media platforms often used promote broadcast in-person conferences, so development online they naturally become hosting platforms. For example, during peak restrictions, when...
Mating failure, characterized by the lack of production offspring following copulation, is relatively common across taxa yet little understood. It unclear whether mating failures are stochastic occurrences between incompatible partners or represent a persistent, meaningful phenotype on part one other sex. Here we test this in seed bug Lygaeus simulans, sequentially families males with randomly allocated unrelated females and calculating repeatability outcome for each individual male family....
Ample sperm production is essential for successful male reproduction in many species. The amount of a can produce typically constrained by the size his testes, which be energetically expensive to grow and maintain. Although economics ejaculate allocation has been focus much theoretical empirical literature, relatively little attention paid individual adult variation plasticity at source production, testes themselves. We experimentally address this issue using insect Narnia femorata Stål...
It is becoming increasingly clear that copulation does not necessarily always lead to offspring production in many organisms, despite fertilization success presumably being under both strong natural and sexual selection.In the seed bug Lygaeus simulans, between 40% 60% of copulations fail produce offspring, with this 'mating failure' representing a significantly repeatable male-associated trait.Mating has been demonstrated be costly species and, as such, we might expect females minimize...
The extent to which sperm or ejaculate-derived products from different males interact during competition—from kamikaze incapacitation—remains controversial. Repeated matings in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis lead a short-term reduction of efficient use by females, is crucial for haplodiploid organism when needing allocate sex adaptively (i.e. fertilizing eggs produce daughters). females this species, therefore, constrain allocation through "sperm-blocking" effect, eliciting cost...
Weaving the future of field comparative psychology is dependent on career advancement early-career scientists. Despite concerted efforts to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, scholars from marginalized groups are disproportionately underrepresented field-especially at advanced stages. New approaches sponsorship, mentoring, community building necessary retain talent communities create a culture system where all individuals can thrive. We describe unique...
The costs and benefits of mating are frequently measured in order to understand why females mate multiply. However, separate the factors that initiate evolution polyandry (from monandry) from maintain it, we must ascertain how environmental context changes economics mating. Here, show context-dependent can lead a species is monandrous wild, parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. We have previously shown when insufficient time between gaining access hosts for oviposition, they appear unable...
Abstract Multiple mating by females can dramatically alter selection on males creating indirect interactions between rivals via sperm competition. Exactly how this behavior alters the relationship male and fertilization success depends multiple factors: re-mating frequency, usage patterns, assortment (the extent to which most promiscuous individuals mate with each other). Here, we explore role these elements play in determining sexual a highly polygyandrous species, squash bug Anasa tristis....
Reproductive interference, reproductive interactions between heterospecific individuals including mating, is commonly reported across taxa, but its drivers are still unclear. Studying interspecific matings in the context of their conspecific mating system-by relating an individual's behaviour to interactions-offers a powerful approach address this uncertainty. Here, we compare inter- and intraspecific dynamics squash bug Anasa tristis close relative andresii under semi-natural conditions....
Abstract Arthropods are the most diverse phylum on earth, accounting for up to 90% of animal species. The cuticular exoskeleton has played a vital role in their evolutionary success, but we know surprisingly little about factors influencing its development, structure, and biomechanical properties. In this study, examined whether how nutrition affects cuticle after an insect completed final molt into adult stage. We found that high-quality diet provided leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata...
Abstract A longstanding goal of evolutionary biology is to understand among-individual variation in resource allocation decisions and the timing these decisions. Recent studies have shown that investment elaborate costly weapons can result trade-offs with testes. In this study, we ask following questions: At what point plasticity different structures ceases during development, if at all? Furthermore, individuals tailor their reproductive behavior accompany structural changes? We...