DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Costs of Sexual selection in a fiddler crab

性特征是以牺牲其他功能为代价构建的(一种权衡)，这一概念是性选择理论的核心，人们普遍认为许多这样的特征的表达是条件相关的；然而，对这些结论的严格经验支持是稀少的。本项目采用实验室和野外综合观察与实验相结合的方法，对沙地蟹(Uca Pugilator)进行性别选择研究。雄性招潮蟹有一个大大扩大的爪子，在与其他雄性蟹的领土争夺战中使用，也会在特定物种的展示中挥舞，以吸引接受的雌性。认明性特征的发展及其相关成本之间的机械联系，对于推进对性选择的理解至关重要。这项提案的评论者中没有一人提出任何重大批评。这项提议的优势在于整合了行为生态学、进化生物学和性选择爪子成本的功能测量。标准2：到目前为止，女性和少数族裔本科生参与了这个项目。到目前为止，通过当地池塘之友的当地宣传也是该项目的一部分，以及高中户外活动感兴趣的冲突：无人小组排名：杰出计划建议：该计划建议在以下级别为该计划提供资金。2005财年$9,836威廉·E·扎默，EEP计划官员2005年4月14日

The notion that sexual traits are constructed at the expense of other functions (a trade-off) is central to the theory of sexual selection, and it is widely assumed that the expression of many such traits is condition dependent; however, rigorous empirical support for these conclusions is sparse. This project investigates sexual selection in the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator using integrated laboratory and field observations and experiments. Male fiddler crabs have a greatly enlarged claw that is used in agonistic territorial contests with other males and also is waved in a species-specific display to attract receptive females. Identifying mechanistic links between the development of sexual traits and their associated costs is crucial to advancing understanding of sexual selection. None of the reviewers of this proposal raised any significant criticisms. The strength of this proposal is in the integration of behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and functional measures of costs of the sexually selected claw.Criterion 2: Women and minority undergraduates have participated in this project thus far. Local outreach via the friends of the local pond has also been a part of the project thus far, as well as high school outreachConflicts of Interest: NonePanel ranking: OutstandingProgram recommendation: The Program recommends funding of this proposal at the following levels. FY '05 $9,836William E. Zamer, EEP Program OfficerApril 14, 2005