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 in spiders and insects.  Academic whereabouts: Today at the University of Turin (Italy), after several years at the LMU in Munich (Germany), and a PhD from Aarhus University (Denmark). Graduated from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy).

MICHELLE BEYER, PHD STUDENT

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.

MAGDALENA MATZKE, PHD STUDENT

I am interested in the reproductive biology of polyandrous arthropods, crickets and spiders. In particular, my work focuses on how pre- and post-copulatory traits evolve, and how complex paternity patterns are shaped by sperm competition and (cryptic) female choice. 

APOSTOLOS ANGELAKAKIS, MSC STUDENT

I am studying the effects of heatwaves on spider reproduction, with the aim of understanding if thermal stress affects fertility and interferes with male-female chemical communication in the spider  Parasteatoda tepidarorium.

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.

KAYLIE WALSH, STEPHANIE SEDLMAIR, ALIKI DIMOPOLOU, BSC STUDENTS

Testing the effects of heatwaves on insect reproduction, each with a specific aim: male courtship behaviour, male-male aggressiveness and on fitness outcome. Our study species is the field cricket.

PAST GROUP MEMBERS

PAOLO GHISLANDI, PHD

Sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics in the nursery web spider Pisaura mirabilis

SARA VON DRACH

MSC THESIS: Fitness consequences of anthropogenic noise in the field cricket.

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?

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 Beyer

Undergraduates

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 Xiu

LEHRE@LMU AWARDS

Aurora Rossi, Sarah Schulte-Doinghaus, Magdalena Matzke, Sabrina Weber, Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Patricia Velado