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
- 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: Associate Professor Jonathan 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.

PhD opportunities

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 include:

Background in at least one of the following areas: marine ecology, and/or molecular ecology, genomics, gene expression, bioinformatics
Good understanding of statistical methods, programming in R
Diving (Scientific diver) qualifications preferred

Step 2 - Submit enquiry to research team leader

Submit your enquiry with the research team leader and we'll be in touch.

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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.

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