Main Focus
- Evolutionary Genetics
- Behavioural Ecology
- Mating strategies
- Sexual behaviour
- Infertility
- Embryo mortality
Our research group studies the quantitative and molecular genetics of
sexual behaviour in the zebra finch to address fundamental questions in
evolutionary biology. One of our main interests lies in the understanding of
genes that contribute to sexually antagonistic evolution. For instance, we ask,
what are the effects of genes that increase male promiscuity (and hence male
fitness), on female promiscuity, female fecundity, but also on male and female
parental qualities. These and many other questions are addressed using long term
data on a very large captive population of zebra finches. Extensive
observational data on extra-pair courtships in a communal aviary setting are
complemented with breeding of selection lines and large-scale SNP genotyping
that allows us to conduct QTL mapping and subsequent study of candidate genes
involved the behaviours that lie at the core of sexual selection.
Ongoing main projects
- Female promiscuity as a genetic corollary of male promiscuity
- Genes underlying digit ratio correlations with sexual behaviour
- Quantitative genetics of male attractiveness, ornamentation and fitness
- Inbreeding depression and heterozygosity-fitness correlations
- QTL mapping of sexual behaviour and ornamentation
- Genotype-phenotype associations
- Causes of genetic incompatibility
- Benefits of promiscuity and mate choice
- Assortative mating for quality
- Causes of infertility and embryo mortality
Curriculum Vitae
Academic Education / Positions Held
Since 2008: Research
scientist at the Dept. of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, MPIO
Seewiesen
2004-2008: Emmy Noether Research Group leader at the MPIO
Seewiesen
2002-2004: Postdoc at Sheffield University, UK (Emmy Noether
and Marie Curie Fellowships)
1998-2001: PhD at Würzburg University and
Vogelwarte Radolfzell (advisors: Dr. Bernd Leisler and Prof. K. E.
Linsenmair)
1992-1998:
Diploma in Biology at Würzburg University
Professional
Services and Awards
Since 2012: Editor for Behavioral
Ecology
2006-2011: Member of the Junge Akademie
2003: Horst Wiehe
Doctorate Prize (DZG)
Organizational Unit (Department, Group, Facility):
- Department Kempenaers
- IMPRS Faculty
- MPI for Ornithology Seewiesen