Too Many Males and Too Little Time: Mate Choice in Socially Complex Groups

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For many animals, choosing their mate is one of the most important decisions individuals make.  In animals who mate within dynamic social aggregations, choices are far from simple.  Individuals must evaluate the attractiveness of many potential mates and also weigh emergent sources of information, such as competitive interactions and other individuals’ mate choices.  Come learn how mate choice rules can change with the social context- from irrational frogs to copying fish- and how such behavioral variation might influence the evolution of sexually-selected traits.

SPIDERS!

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Spiders get a bad rap. But in reality they can be beautiful, helpful to humans, and hardly ever dangerous. Join UT graduate student Ian Wright as he hopes to dispel the myths about spiders, talks about the amazing diversity of spiders on this planet, and opens up their incredible world.

Our 2011-2012 series was Science Under the Stars‘ best achievement yet, with speakers recently interviewed by National Public Radio’s Science Friday, The New York Times, Commander Ben, The Daily Texan, They Blinded Me With Science on KVRX 91.7FM, and we featured a teacher who travelled to the SOUTH POLE for research! We’re on break for the summer, preparing for another exciting lineup this fall. Stay tuned for details!

Get ready for the Science Under The Stars Spring 2012 Speakers!

• February 9, 2012 | Jacob Soule
• March 8, 2012 | Genevieve Smith
• April 12, 2012 | Jeanine Abrams
• May 10, 2012 | TBA

All lectures in this series are free, open to the public, and held at 7:30pm outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703 (map). In the case of inclement weather, lectures will be held indoors. Arrive early for complimentary refreshments and fun activities for kids of all ages!