*****MS or PhD Opportunity in Animal Behavior and the Evolution of Mate Choice*****
The Dopman Laboratory in the Department of Biology at Tufts University is seeking an MS or PhD student interested in animal behavior, mate choice, and sexual selection. The student will use the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis, to investigate how variation in sexual signals and mating preferences affects mate choice, assortative mating, and the evolution of reproductive isolation.
*****Project background*****
Mate choice can shape evolution by determining which individuals reproduce and which combinations of traits and preferences are transmitted to the next generation. Fisherian models of sexual selection predict that mating preferences generate nonrandom mating, creating genetic covariance between sexual traits and preferences and allowing positive feedback in their coevolution. Although this process is well established theoretically, the behavioral steps connecting preference, mating patterns, genetic covariance, and coevolution have been incompletely explored empirically.
The European corn borer provides an unusually tractable system for studying these questions. Females produce alternative sex-pheromone blends, and males differ in their behavioral preferences for those blends. Variation in the female pheromone signal is associated with the locus pgFAR, whereas variation in male preference for the female pheromone is associated with the locus bab. These genes occur on different chromosomes but nevertheless show strong genetic covariance in some natural populations. These findings establish a foundation for studying how individual mating decisions scale up to produce population-level evolutionary change.
*****Graduate research*****
The student will develop an independent project centered on the behavior and evolution of mate choice. Possible questions include:
* How does genetic variation in female signals and male preferences affect sexual selection and assortative mating?
* How consistent are mating preferences across individuals, populations, and environmental conditions?
* How do experience, social context, or population composition alter mate choice?
* How do climate, artificial light, air pollution, host plants, or natural enemies affect pheromone communication?
* Does sexual selection act more strongly on female signals, male preferences, or both?
* How do sexual selection and genetic drift interact to maintain—or eliminate—variation in female signals and male preferences within populations?
* How does divergence in mate choice contribute to reproductive isolation between populations?
Research may involve controlled behavioral assays, population-cage experiments, pheromone manipulations, insect rearing, field experiments, and quantitative analysis of behavior. Genetic or genomic approaches may be incorporated to connect behavioral variation with the underlying signal and preference loci, but prior molecular experience is not required. The precise direction of the project will be developed collaboratively based on the student’s interests.
*****Desired qualifications*****
Applicants must have a strong interest in animal behavior and mate choice. Students interested in behavioral ecology, sexual selection, animal communication, sensory ecology, evolutionary biology, or entomology are especially encouraged to apply.
Previous experience with behavioral experiments, insect husbandry, field biology, experimental design, video or observational data, or statistical analysis would be helpful. More important are curiosity about animal behavior, careful observational skills, patience with experimental work, and enthusiasm for developing independent research questions. Students must also have an ability to work with others and a strong sense of humor, both of which are needed to make science fun and worthwhile.
*****Research environment*****
The Dopman Laboratory combines behavioral experiments with genetic, genomic, and evolutionary approaches to understand how ecological and behavioral differences arise. The student will join the Department of Biology at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
*****How to apply*****
Initial inquiries can be made by contacting:
Erik Dopman
Department of Biology
Tufts University
Erik.Dopman (at) tufts.edu
Please include:
* A brief description of your interests in animal behavior, mate choice, or sexual selection.
* A curriculum vitae or resume.
* A description of relevant research, coursework, field, laboratory, or quantitative experience.
* An indication of whether you are interested in the MS or PhD program.
Applicants from a broad range of academic backgrounds are encouraged to inquire. Direct experience with animal behavior is welcome but not essential. Applicants should explain why they are interested in studying mate choice and how graduate research fits their longer-term goals.
* Anticipated start: Fall 2027
* Tufts application information: https://as.tufts.