Topic Overview:

How does biological diversity arise and change over time? This enduring question lies at the heart of evolutionary biology. Researchers have increasingly focused on coevolution as a driver of evolutionary diversification, investigating coevolution in systems such as host-parasite or predator-prey interactions. However, although this work has deepened our understanding of coevolution between species, we know considerably less about how coevolutionary dynamics within species can lead to rapid diversification of form and function. The Morehouse lab investigates coevolution between coupled reproductive traits (e.g., male courtship displays and female visual systems, male seminal fluid proteins and the female reproductive tract), with a focus on the reproductive interactions of insects and spiders.

In this seminar, Morehouse will highlight his recent work on coevolution between female visual function and male courtship displays in jumping spiders. Jumping spider males often engage in elaborate courtship displays that can include vibratory song, complex movements, and bright colors. Work by Morehouse and colleagues has provided a number of new insights into how females perceive these displays and how major changes to female visual function (e.g., multiple independent origins of color vision) have led to patterns of diversification in male displays across this species-rich group.