Behavioral and Ecological Factors Influencing the Mating Dynamics of a Semi-Aquatic Insect

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9221697 Sih Drs. Sih and Krupa will use a blend of surveys in natural streams and experiments in semi-natural streams to examine the effects of important ecological factors (e.g., predation risk, food availability, population density, and sex ratio) and individual traits (e.g., size, hunger level) on mating behaviors that determine variation in reproductive success. Their study animal is a semi-aquatic insect that is ideal for addressing these issues, because it is very easy to mark, observe, census, and experimentally manipulate. This research should yield important insights about how variation in ecological factors influences the evolution of animal behaviors. The resulting behaviors, in turn, have major impacts on population success. The work should thus contribute significantly to theoretical understanding of the interface between evolution, behavior, and ecology. This research should also have practical importance in providing new insights into how environmental disturbances might have unexpected effects on species' success through effects on reproductive dynamics.