The insect integument is covered by cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) which provide
protection against environmental stresses, but are also used for communication. Here we …

Recent research has demonstrated extensive within-species variation in pheromone
expression in insect species, contrary to the view that pheromones are largely invariant …

According to rational choice theory, beneficial preferences should lead individuals to sort
available options into linear, transitive hierarchies, although the extent to which non-human …

Interactions between species can alter selection on sexual displays used in mate choice
within species. Here we study the epicuticular pheromones of two Drosophila species that …

In polyandrous species, a male's reproductive success depends on his fertilization capability
and traits enhancing competitive fertilization success will be under strong, directional …

Signal traits are often linked with the physiological state and behavior of their bearer. Direct
examination of the causal links among these variables has provided substantial insight into …

Sexually selected traits are often highly variable in size within populations due to their close
link with the physical condition of individuals. Nutrition has a large impact on physical …

Biologists have known for decades that many traits involved in competition for mates or other
resources and that influence mate choice are exaggerated, and their expression is …

Sex differences in ecologically important traits are common in animals and plants, and
prompted Darwin to first propose an ecological cause of sexual dimorphism. Despite …

Developmental responses to nutritional variation represent one of the ecologically most
important classes of adaptive plasticity. However, knowledge of genome-wide patterns of …