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Title: Do long calls signal high lipid content and high genetic quality in gray tree frogs? (Advisor: David Pfennig)
Michael SrokaWhat factors promote species diversification is an unresolved issue in evolutionary biology. Much diversity can be seen in male secondary sexual characteristics, and female preferences can influence the diversification of male traits. My research addresses the preference of female gray tree frogs for long calls given by males, which may indicate high genetic quality. I am interested in the relationship between call length and lipid content in male gray tree frogs, and between call length and the lipid content and growth characteristics of their offspring in order to try to figure out how long calls serve as indicators of genetic quality. Selection for female preferences for high quality males could help explain the evolution of such diverse traits as frog calls. |
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