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[UPDATE 11/9/11: Dr. Barry's talk is rescheduled from Nov 9 to Nov 16, 4 p.m., in Jewett Hall Room 101.]
The behavioral and evolutionary ecology of sexually cannibalistic praying mantids is the topic of a guest talk by Dr. Katherine (Kate) Barry of Macquairie University in Australia, now a postdoctoral fellow conducting research at SUNY Fredonia with Dr. Bill Brown and his students. Her talk will be given Wednesday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m., in Jewett Hall Room 101.
Dr. Barry, who has devoted much of her research to praying mantid mating systems, has focused her attention on the evolution of sexual cannibalism and its effect on male mate choice and reproductive success.
SUNY Fredonia Biology Professor William Brown has done ground-breaking research in the area of sexual cannibalism in praying mantids (see New York Times article >>).
“I am generally interested in the ecology and evolution of sexual reproduction," Dr. Barry said. "But my specific area of interest lies in the evolutionary outcome of reproductive conflict between and within the sexes. My research deals with the evolution of mating strategies, sexual signaling and mate choice."
She has also studied various aspects of mating behavior in butterflies, orb-web spiders and jumping spiders.
Barry received her doctorate from Macquarie University, Australia, in 2009. Her current post-doctoral research, funded by an Australian Endeavor Fellowship, addresses the evolution of sexual conflict.
She has been awarded more than $50,000 in research grants since 2006.
