THE ARTHROPOD REPRODUCTION LAB
In our research group we use field studies, laboratory assays, molecular tools and experimental evolution to answer questions on reproductive trait evolution, communication and mating strategies in spiders & insects.
MEET our TEAM!
DR. CRISTINA TUNI, PI
I am an evolutionary behavioural biologist interested in sexual selection and animal reproduction (mainly spiders and insects). Academic whereabouts: Today at the University of Turin (Italy), after several years at the LMU in Munich (Germany), and PhD studies at Aarhus University (Denmark). Graduated from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy).
YASMIN NAZ AKYÜREK, PHD STUDENT
I am interested in animal behaviour and evolutionary biology, especially in behavioural syndromes and the interplay between ecological factors and behaviour. My research focuses on investigating the impact of heatwaves on the reproductive behaviour of insects from both, temperate and tropical regions.
MICHELLE BEYER, POST DOC
My research focuses on the evolution, function and mode of animal chemical communication. I am especially interested in directional polarization of chemical trails, such as spider silk lines, as well as manipulative chemical communication between the sexes at reproduction.
PAST GROUP MEMBERS
Pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection: their role in trait evolution in the field cricket
Sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics in the nursery web spider Pisaura mirabilis
KARDELEN ÖZGÜN ULUDAG. Now PhD student at Hamburg University
MSC THESIS: Silk line following behaviour in a spider.
MORGAN OBERWEISER. Now PhD student at Greifswald University
LEHRE@LMU FELLOW: Mandibles vs. testes. Evolutionary trade-offs?
APOSTOLOS ANGELAKAKIS
MSC THESIS: The effects of heatwaves on the reproduction of the spider Parasteatoda tepidarorium.
SARA VON DRACH
MSC THESIS: Fitness consequences of anthropogenic noise in the field cricket.
KAYLIE WALSH, STEPHANIE SEDLMAIR, ALIKI DIMOPOLOU
BSC THESIS. Testing the effects of heatwaves on male courtship behaviour, male-male aggressiveness and on fitness outcome in the field cricket.
MICHELE VICO, MSC STUDENT
I am a visiting student from University of Padova. For my Msc project I am interested in understanding what drives male strategic courtship allocation and mate choice in the gift-giving spider Pisaura mirabilis.
JULIA MANGLIERS
BSC THESIS: Is male silk attractive?
DANIEL HEIMERL
MSC THESIS: Effects of adult sex ratios on male mating strategies
APOSTOLOS ANGELAKAKIS
BSC THESIS: The mating system of the common house spider
ANNIKA NEUHAUS. Now PhD student at TUM
STUDENT ASSISTANT: animal care, behaviour, sperm assays
AURORA ROSSI
STUDENT ASSISTANT: animal care, behaviour, sperm assays
MAŸLIS LAILLER
MSC THESIS: Female silk-bound signalling and male mate search in a spider
MURPHY MORTIER
MSC THESIS: Condition dependent chemical silk release in a cursorial spider
MARLENA STALTER
BSC THESIS: does anthropogenic noise affect singing in crickets?
...AND MANY MORE!
VISITING STUDENTS
Martina Magris, Pavla Dudova, Nijat Narimanov, Tejinder Singh Chechi
MsC THESIS
Besta Dimitrova, Magdalena Matzke, Ana Maria Bastidas, Michelle BeyerUndergraduates
Bianca Brundl, Elisa Schenkel, Christina Dollinger, Daniel Heimerl, Karoline Wacker, Katharina Platzdasch, Magdalena Matzke, Carla Madueno Florian, Yvonne Fritz, Sarah Schulte-Doinghaus, Larissa Tschetsch, Michelle Beyer, Sabrina Weber, Saoirse Mcmahon, Garance Despreaux, Aurora Rossi, Morgan Oberweiser, Kardelen Özgün Uludag, Vangelis-Loukas Mizerakis, Ana Maria Bastidas, Jessica Bacon, Amanda Munoz, Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Alexander Hutfluss, Diana Robledo, Jed Kempf, Jinxi XiuLEHRE@LMU AWARDS
Aurora Rossi, Sarah Schulte-Doinghaus, Magdalena Matzke, Sabrina Weber, Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Patricia Velado