Research Interests

I am interested in the evolution of animal communication systems, particularly the evolution of signals used by males to attract females, and the evolution of female responses to these male signals. My current projects primarily address the evolution of male signals and female mating preferences in the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps. This work includes: (1) the effect of natural and sexual selection on the evolution of male singing behavior; (2) the direct benefits and costs of female mating preferences; and (3) the role of female behavior in driving the evolution of male contributions to female fitness.

I use a variety of approaches in my research, including within-population estimates of selection, across-population comparisons, lab-based measurements of behavioral energetics, experimental analyses of the costs and benefits of male signals and female preferences, and quantitative genetics.

Recent Publications

• Wagner, W. E. Jr and A. L. Basolo. 2007. Host preferences in a phonotactic parasitoid of field crickets: the relative importance of host song characters. Ecological Entomology in press.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr. and A. L. Basolo. 2007. The relative importance of different direct benefits in the mate choices of a field cricket. Evolution in press.
• Basolo, A. L. and W. E. Wagner Jr. 2006. Genetic variation in maternal investment patterns in Platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus. Zebrafish 3: 339-345.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr. 2005. Male field crickets that provide reproductive benefits to females incur higher costs. Ecological Entomology 30: 350-357.
• Olvido, A. E. and W. E. Wagner Jr. 2004. Signal components, acoustic preference functions, and sexual selection in a cricket. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 83: 461-472.
• Basolo, A. L. and W. E. Wagner Jr. 2004. Covariation between predation risk, body size and fin elaboration in the green swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 83: 87-100.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr. and C. J. Harper. 2003. Female life span and fertility are increased by the ejaculates of preferred males. Evolution 57: 2054-2066.
• Rosenthal, G. G., W. E. Wagner Jr. and M. J. Ryan. 2002. Secondary reduction of preference for swords in the pygmy swordtail Xiphophorus nigrensis (Pisces: Poeciliidae). Animal Behaviour 63: 37-45.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr., M. R. Smeds and D. D. Wiegmann. 2001. Experience affects female responses to male song in the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps (Orthoptera, Gryllidae). Ethology 107: 769-776.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr., R. J. Kelley, K. R. Tucker and C. J. Harper. 2001. Females receive a life span benefit from male ejaculates in a field cricket. Evolution 55: 994-1001.
• Wagner, W. E. Jr. and M. G. Reiser. 2000. The relative importance of calling song and courtship song in female mate choice in the variable field cricket. Animal Behaviour 59: 1219-1226.