Research

Sexual selection and behavioural syndromes in the agamid, Psammophilus dorsalis 

Sexual selection, the evolutionary process that acts through intrasexual competition for mates, is known to result in spectacular traits. Much of our understanding of trait evolution through sexual selection is focussed on single traits, while the maintenance of multiple sexually selected traits in a population is still not fully understood. Furthermore, sexual selection research has largely focussed on males. However, recent work suggests that intrasexual competition among females could have important ecological and evolutionary consequences. In this long-term project, we examine the maintenance of multiple traits through sexual selection. We also study differences between the sexes in sexual selection processes and the kinds of traits that are favoured through intrasexual competition. A second set of research questions focusses on consistent inter-individual differences in behaviour, also often called animal personality. We examine animal personality variation under natural conditions over individual lifetimes to test hypotheses for the maintenance of personality variation.

Mosquito Behaviour and Life History Evolution

We use Aedes mosquitoes as a study system to investigate the ecology and evolution of life-history and reproductive strategies under a variety of conditions, from carefully controlled to natural conditions. We are particularly interested in how traits evolve when multiple selection pressures act on them and when these selection pressures vary both predictably and unpredictably in space and time. We chose this system because, first, Aedes spp shows interesting variation in many traits, such as, female oviposition strategies; second, it lays eggs in ephemeral pools that are particularly suitable to examine the influence of predictable and unpredictable environmental variation on the evolution of traits; and third, the ecology of mosquitoes, which is surprisingly poorly understood, can contribute towards designing population control strategies. We focus on the evolution of female oviposition strategies. We also study behavioural and life history responses of mosquitoes to competition and predation. Since Aedes spp are important vectors of disease, such as dengue, we are also examining the impact of individual behaviour and life history on mosquito population dynamics and disease ecology.​

Comparative analysis of behaviour and life histories

While detailed studies of individual populations allow us to dissect ecological and evolutionary processes thoroughly, larger comparative analyses and meta-analyses allow one to investigate the generality of such processes in nature. To this end, we use phylogenetic comparative methods to analyse interspecific data extracted from the published literature. Some questions that we currently focus on are the evolution of migration in birds, and patterns in sexual selection across taxa.

Blackbuck Behaviour, Ecology, and Conservation

Blackbuck antelope, Antilope cervicapra, show conspicuous and variable social and mating behaviour. This antelope lives in groups that range in size from two to several hundred. It also displays a rare and spectacular mating behaviour, called lekking, which has stimulated interest because of the costly displays that males perform and the apparent choice that females exert. We examine questions related to the ecology and evolution of social and mating behaviour.

The blackbuck, a threatened antelope, is a prime example of a species that is now mostly found in human-dominated landscapes. The semi-arid grasslands that it thrives in are typically fragmented and human-dominated. We focus on research questions that examine how this antelope responds to anthropogenic factors and the factors influencing its persistence in human-dominated landscapes. We take a behavioural ecological approach to examine how blackbuck use a mosaic of natural grassland and agricultural landscapes and to understand why and when blackbuck are attracted to crops. We are also monitoring blackbuck populations over the long-term in human-dominated landscapes to examine questions related to their persistence in these landscapes.