I am a behavioral and evolutionary biologist with specific interests in sexual selection and animal communication. In recent years, most of my research has focused on problems in acoustic signaling in insects (Orthoptera and Lepidoptera) and frogs. These studies have involved both laboratory and field experimentation and addressed physiological as well as evolutionary issues. Three areas that I am currently investigating are:

1) Function and evolution of chorusing interactions in acoustic Orthoptera and Anura.

We are studying synchronous and antiphonal (alternating) singing in advertising males and its relationship to female choice. In a variety of acoustic species, e.g. the Mediterranean katydid Ephippiger ephippiger, females prefer leading songs (a psychoacoustic effect known as precedence), and such preferences may select for song timing mechanisms by which males avoid producing following songs and thereby improve their attractiveness. When two or more males use these mechanisms, a synchronous or antiphonal chorus may result as an epiphenomenon. Research addresses the neuroethological basis of the precedence effect in (female) receivers, the evolution of this effect, and the various ways it has influenced male signaling behavior.

2) Maintenance of genetic variation in sexually selected traits.

We are studying pleiotropic effects of genes that influence sexual attractiveness, using the ultrasonic moth Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as our study animal. In this species males attract females with an ultrasonic advertisement song. Males vary considerably in several song characters and in overall attractiveness, but genetic trade-offs may occur between sexual attractiveness and development rate. Moreover, genotype x environment interactions occur and may influence the above trade-offs. Research addresses the genetic architecture of loci affecting these traits and ecological genetic factors that may contribute to maintaining the observed variation.

3) The evolution of sexual advertisement signals and preferences from ancestral anti-predatory traits.

Ancestors of Achroia grisella (see no. 2, above) evolved ultrasonic hearing and evasive responses to the (ultrasonic) echolocations of predatory bats. We are studying how male song and female orientation toward this ultrasonic advertisement subsequently evolved in A. grisella. That is, can a receiver bias mechanism influence signal evolution when that bias elicits negative responses?

Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Signalers and Receivers

Laboratory People

• Anne Danielson-Francois - Postdoctoral researcher
• Graduate students
      LaRoy Brandt
      Hang-Kyo Lim
      Rafael Rodriguez S.
• Undergraduates
      Aaron Abramowitz
      Alvaro Berg
      Eric Siegfreid

Signal Interaction Programs (Windows OS only) (Developed by Michael Tourtellot)