Research Questions
1. Interaction of sexual selection and species recognition:
Sexual selection and species recognition are often considered as interrelated processes (as in speciation by sexual selection), yet the conventional predictions about these processes are different in many scenarios.
- Sexual selection involves choice among conspecifics on the basis of variation within the population. As such, sexual selection is predicted to act on characteristics that have relatively high intrapopulation variation.
- Species recognition acts to separate one group (conspecifics) from another group (heterospecifics). In certain situations, this is predicted to favor the evolution of a low variation species-specific character or characters.
Through a combination of empirical research and mathematical modeling, I am investigating the importance of several environmental factors (species composition, geographic distribution) in mediating the interaction of sexual selection and species recognition.
2. Impact of anthropogenic noise on acoustic communication
Anthropogenic noise from sources including cars, planes, and heavy machinery is now a common part of natural communities. How does this interference alter signaling and communication in insect communities?
Project in collaboration with Jen Fownes, Dartmouth College Class of 2011