Species interactions and the volution of plasticity in mating signals (Old ID 23407)

Supervisor

Displaying for mates is one of the most important forms of communication. The impact on mating displays in the presence of other species (reproductive interference) has generally been overlooked but is increasingly being recognised as a major selective force driving the evolution of mating traits. This project will investigate if species interactions can evoke immediate (plastic) changes to male mating displays. Plastic changes to mating displays will allow species to stand out in the crowd, thus avoiding reproductive interference and continue being reproductively successful. This adaptation may become extremely important due to changing species distributions in this rapidly changing world.

01 May 2017 - 30 Apr 2018

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