Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Reproductive Traits

One of our main research themes is how sexual selection shapes the evolution of sexual traits and mating behaviour. In brief, we study the male allocation of resources to traits associated with mate acquisition and competitive fertilization, the factors determining male reproductive success in situations of sperm competition, and how male and female reproductive traits have changed over evolutionary time in response to sexual selection. We use comparative, experimental and molecular approaches in a range of organisms.

Head of group: Prof. Dr. Stefan Lüpold

Research themes:

• Courtship and mating behaviour
• Evolution of sexually selected traits
• Allocation trade-offs between pre- and postcopulatory traits
• Processes of sperm competition and cryptic female choice
• Condition dependence of costly traits
• Transgenerational effects on male and female fitness