Sedgwick Reserve

30 Jun, 05 PM - 29 Jun, 05 PM

In many animal taxa, the degree of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is correlated with mean body size. These relationships have been demonstrated among families, genera, species, and even populations within species. Previous research by my students and myself has established the generality of this pattern, called ?allometry? for SSD. We have also proposed the general hypothesis that such correlations evolve as a consequence of sexual selection favoring larger size in males. The proposed research on the Sedgwick reserve will be part of a larger study designed to test this hypothesis through detailed comparisons of four populations of the stream-dwelling water strider, Aquarius remigis differing in mean body size and SSD. A previous survey of populations in California and preliminary sampling on the Sedgwick Reserve in November, 2001, have established that the population on the reserve represents intermediate values of body size and size dimorphism, along the continuum of populations of A. remigis in North America. Sampling from Sedwick will therefore provide crucial comparative information for my study. In 2002, the work will consist primarily of sampling reproductive adults from Figueroa Creek in the spring, to serve as the parental generation for a common garden laboratory rearing experiment. Preliminary assays of the density and age structure of the population, and of the intensity of sexual selection will be made at this time, and again in August and September. These data will provide the foundation for future, more intensive, field studies.

Visit #1543 @Sedgwick Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 1271 | Research

The adaptive significance of allometry for sexual size dimorphism in the stream-dwelling water strider, Aquarius remigis

faculty - University of California, Riverside

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) Jun 30, 2002 - Jun 29, 2003 (365 days)
Group of 2 Faculty Jun 30, 2002 - Jun 29, 2003 (365 days)

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