The Ohio State University Newark
The Ohio State University Newark
Cognitive Ecology of Mate Choice
Cognitive ecology focuses on how information processing and decision making in animals may affect fitness. Animals constantly process information concerning their environment and based upon that information must make decisions about site residency, foraging options, and mating opportunities. Understanding how animals choose between alternative options (make decisions) is a fundamental concern for studies of behavior. The prevailing assumption of behavioral ecology has been that animals evaluate all options absolutely, determining the value of each independently of other options. Recent studies have begun to demonstrate that for at least some animals, options are evaluated in a context dependent manner, and in collaboration with Dr. Sean Walker at California State University, Fullerton, I am beginning to explore context dependent mate choice in invertebrate model systems.
Walker SE, Roberts JA, Adame I, Collins CJ, & Lim D. (2008) Heads up: Sexual dimorphism in house crickets (Acheta domesticus). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 86(4): 253-259.
Sensory Ecology of an animal Communication Network
The active space of female chemical signals
Impact of El Niņo on Group Formation
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