Ass.-Professor
Unit for Integrative Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna
Abstract
I have been studying the functional morphology of arthropods, with a particular focus on insect reproduction. In this talk, I will present an overview of the past and present projects and my future ideas, focusing on the following three phenomena.
1. Elongation of genitalia
Animal forms are highly diverse, and this diversity is the outcome of evolution. Evolutionary events producing this diversity do not occur at random; there are morphological features that, while highly divergent from ancestral forms and thus considered novel, have nonetheless been repeatedly acquired. Constraints are thought to play an important role in evolution, yet their nature remains unclear. The elongation of genitalia represents a noteworthy case for clarifying the nature and evolutionary consequences of a constraint. This is because genital elongation has evolved repeatedly, with numerous instances in insects, where species are often reported to possess penises longer than their body length. In insects, this elongation is especially striking, as the structure is stored internally and dynamically extended and retracted during copulation, suggesting that the challenges of maneuverability and storability may function as constraints. I will present a series of studies addressing this question and my future studies, which will be my life’s work.
2. The shape diversity of sperm storage organs in females
Genitalia play a central role in reproduction and exhibit extraordinary diversity in shape, which cannot be explained solely by their basic function of transferring and receiving sperm. The evolutionary mechanisms have been intensively studied, especially through fitness measures and meta-analyses linking genital diversity with levels of polyandry, and sexual selection is regarded as a principal driving force. However, the precise mechanisms by which sexual selection leads to genital diversification remain poorly understood. By adopting a biomechanical approach, I aim to connect form with function and performance, to delineate the potential functional range of genitalia and, consequently, their evolvability. Within this framework, I will introduce my current research focusing on female sperm storage organs.
3. Female leaf-rolling behaviour for offspring
The ecological/behavioural repertoire of insects is astonishingly diverse: e.g., ants practice farming, crickets sing, termites construct towers, and weevils fold leaves like origami. This “origami” behaviour refers to the elaborate leaf-rolling (cradle-making) of females in the family Attelabidae. I will introduce a project launched to investigate the evolution of this behaviour from a morphological perspective. The leaf cradles, as phenotypic structures extending beyond the insect’s own body, represent a striking example of extended phenotypes. Despite many examples, yet how such traits have evolved remains poorly understood. By studying the Attelabidae, this research seeks to understand its evolutionary history and contributes not only to our understanding of weevils but also more broadly to the evolution of novel traits and extended phenotypes.
