DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Mating Conflict and Its Resolution in a Female-Specific Color Polymorphic Damselfly

在自然界中，两性之间的关系往往很不和谐。例如，由于精子的生产成本通常比卵子低，男性往往比女性更想交配，从而导致在交配决定上的性冲突。到目前为止，已经有相当多的研究记录了男性性骚扰如何对女性健康产生负面影响。然而，我们对女性的抗骚扰特征如何影响男性健康知之甚少。这篇论文的研究调查了一只蜻蜓在性冲突中的作用，这只蜻蜓的雄性是明亮的蓝色，但雌性可能是类似雄性的蓝色(即雄性的“模仿”)或雌性特有的绿色。这项拟议的实验衡量了雄性在蓝色雌性存在的情况下犯下交配错误的代价。这项研究将是首次尝试在自然栖息地测量雌性特征对雄性的适合度影响。该委员会还提议为雄性交配骚扰的经济(即成本和收益)建立一个计算机模型，从而解决了一个基本但被忽视的问题，即什么时候雄性骚扰雌性在经济上是最佳的。该模型将本论文的研究结果推广到更一般的背景下，其预测适用于更广泛的动物。本论文的研究为STEM本科生提供了实地考察的经验。这项研究将通过为英语写作专业学生设计的讲座向非STEM学生展示。Co-Pi还计划制作一部芭蕾舞剧，以一种外行友好的形式展示她论文研究背后的科学。这部芭蕾舞剧的制作将是一次探索，将艺术作为一种替代工具用于科学教育，并在K-12学生的外联活动中使用。

In nature, the relationship between the two genders is often far from harmonious. For example, because sperm are generally cheaper to produce than eggs, males tend to want to mate more often than females do, resulting in sexual conflict over mating decisions. To date, considerable research has documented how male sexual harassment negatively affects female fitness. However, we know very little about how anti-harassment traits of female affect male fitness. The dissertation research investigates the role of males in sexual conflict in a damselfly whose males are bright blue, but whose females may be either a male-like blue (i.e. a male "mimic") or female-specific green. The proposed experiment measures the cost of males making mating mistakes in the presence of blue females. This study will be among the first attempts to measure the fitness effect of female traits on males in a natural habitat. The Co-PI also proposes to build a computer model for the economy (i.e., costs and benefits) of male mating harassment, and hence, addresses the fundamental, yet neglected question of when is it economically optimal for a male to harass a female. This model generalizes the findings from this dissertation research to a more general context, and its predictions are applicable to a broader range of animals. The dissertation research has provided fieldwork experience for STEM undergraduate students. The research will be presented and involve non-STEM students through lectures designed for English Composition students. The Co-PI also plans to develop a ballet to demonstrate science behind her dissertation research in a layman-friendly form. The making of this ballet will be an exploration of using art as an alternative tool in science education, and in outreach activities for K-12 students.