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Research in my laboratory examines diverse topics of the reproductive
biology of insects: courtship behavior and mate choice, genitalic
and reproductive tract morphology, the physiology of sperm production,
and fertilization biology. The goal of this research is not only
to describe variation among species in the ways they reproduce,
but to further our understanding of natural and sexual selection
by investigating why such variation arose.
A
favorite topic of research in the lab is sperm competition, or the
competition within a single female between sperm from rival males
for the fertilization of ova. Sperm competition is particularly
interesting and intense in insects, as females frequently remate,
and they have evolved complex organs that can store sperm for prolonged
periods of time. This form of reproductive competition may explain
why males of most species produce so many tiny sperm. At the same
time, it may explain why males of some species of fruit flies produce
few gigantic sperm...as much as 20 times their total body length.
These giant sperm are the focus of much of our research. In addition
to investigating why long sperm have evolved, we also are exploring
the possible role of sperm length evolution as a driving force in
speciation.
Students
wishing to do research in my lab must be interested in evolution,
insects, and sex. I would encourage students to embark on a project
that is of particular interest to them, as good research requires
much time and effort. An initial investment of much reading and
discussion will be expected. Consequently, students willing to devote
at least two years to working in the lab are preferred. In turn,
students can expect to learn how to formulate alternative hypotheses,
to test predictions, to conduct rigorously controlled experiments,
to statistically analyze data, and to present and interpret results
through posters, conference presentations, and/or publication. Projects
may be conducted in collaboration with other undergrads, grads,
and/or myself.
Scott Pitnick
006 Lyman Hall
443-5128
sspitnic@syr.edu
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