PROJECT
Reproductive and behavioural ecology of guppies
Examining the principles driving sexual selection
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a well-established model for studies of sexual selection.
We are offering PhD project(s) that focus on both pre- and postcopualtory sexual selection and their potential interactions within a number of contexts. Some ideas of the sorts of topic that could be considered include:
- an examination of classic sexual selection theory, including the evaluation of Bateman’s principles in the light of behavioural and molecular approaches for studying mating and reproductive success
- sperm competition and pre- and postcopulatory trade-offs, where male reproductive investment strategies will be explored across a range of environmental and social environments
- offspring fitness in relation to sperm ageing, where the fitness implications of sperm storage and ageing are explored
- condition-dependence in females, where traditional approaches to study condition-dependent expression of sexual traits are turned on their head by exploring these effects in females
These and/or other topics can be merged into a successful PhD program.
For more background information, see the suggested readings below.
- Suggested readings
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- Houde, A. E. 1997. Sex, Color, and Mate Choice in Guppies. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ.
- Evans, J. P., and A. Pilastro. 2011. Postcopulatory sexual selection. Pp. 197-208 in The Ecology and Evolution of Poeciliid Fishes, J. P. Evans, A. Pilastro and I. Schlupp, eds. Chicago University Press, Chicago.
- Collet, J. M., R. F. Dean, K. Worley, D. S. Richardson, and T. Pizzari. 2014. The measure and significance of Bateman's principles. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 281:20132973.
- Evans, J. P. 2010.; Quantitative genetic evidence that males trade attractiveness for ejaculate quality in guppies. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 277:3195-3201.
- Gasparini, C., and A. Pilastro. 2011. Cryptic female preference for genetically unrelated males is mediated by ovarian fluid in the guppy. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 278:2495-2501.
Research team leader: Professor Jon Evans
My research focuses primarily on sexual selection and evolution in natural and laboratory populations of freshwater fishes and marine invertebrates, but I also continue to expand my research foci to include new model systems (e.g. amphibians, mammals, elasmobranchs) and research directions.
How to apply
Interested in becoming part of this project? Complete the following steps to submit your expression of interest:
Step 1 - Check criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Requirements specific to this project:
- Applicants must have an undergraduate or master’s degree in a relevant discipline, including Zoology, Ecology or Evolutionary Genetics, with relevant research experience (e.g. Honours or Masters research) in these areas.
- Good working knowledge of statistics and statistical software (e.g. R) is essential.
Step 2 - Submit enquiry to research team leader
Step 3 - Lodge application
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader, you should be in a position to proceed to the next step of the UWA application process: Lodge an application. Different application procedures apply to domestic and international students.
Scholarships
- Domestic students
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All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships
- International students
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A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.
In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.
- Indigenous students
- Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
- Forrest Foundation scholarships
- All international and Australian students who wish to study towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Western Australia may apply for Forrest Scholarships.
