Research
My research
interest focuses on sexual selection. I have ongoing projects in three
different areas:
° Post-copulatory
sexual selection in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). The
Trinidadian guppy has become a model specie for studies on post-copulatory
sexual selection. My interest focuses on the evolution of post-copulatory
(ejaculate) traits in relation to male ornaments. In particular we are
studying the phenotypic and genotypic variation of ejaculates traits
in relation to male ornaments and sperm competition success.
° Sexual
conflict and sexual antagonistic coevolution in poeciliid fishes. Males and females often have divergent evolutionary interests in reproduction.
Conflict over mating frequency is prominent in poeciliids as males perform
continuous copulatory attempts. We are carrying on four projects on
sexual conflict in poeciliids: 1) direct and indirect effects of male
sexual harassment on the female life-time reproductive success and offspring
fitness in the guppy; 2) coevolution of male and female genitalia in
trinidadian guppy popupaltion scharacterised by different levels of
sexual harassment (in collaboration with Jon Evans); 3) coevolution
of male and female genitalia in relation to male harassment across poeciliid
species (in collaboration with Mariella Rasotto); 4) coevolution of
female schooling behaviour in relation to male harassment across poeciliid
species (in collaboration with Angelo Bisazza).
° Evolution
of feather ornaments in birds. Colour feather signals represent
one of the most striking examples of male and female ornaments whose
evolution is driven by sexual selection. Fathers are moulted once or
twice a year and it is therefore likely that the process of feather
growth, formation and maintenance is crucial in the expression of these
ornamental traits. However, the role of feather moult in determining
the quality of the ornament is still poorly investigated. We are currently
investigating the effect of moult speed on colour feather ormalents
based on carotenoid, malenin and structural colours in the blue tit.
Furthermore, we are investigating whether maintenance and preening have
a differential effect on feather ornaments based on different colour
components. |
