The Cost of Sperm: Are All Males Equally Fertile?

Synopsis

In 1948, it was proposed that females are choosy because eggs are costly, while males mate freely because sperm is cheap. However, research has repeatedly challenged this idea in various animals. Bulb mites have two distinct male morphs: fighters, who battle rivals for access to females, and scramblers, who mate opportunistically without conflict. But does one morph face sperm limitations, or do both have an unlimited supply?

Aims

This project will investigate whether there is a trade-off in sperm availability between male morphs.

Student benefits

• Design and carry out experiments 
• Gain hands-on experience with lab techniques 
• Collect, manage, and analyse real research data 
• Apply advanced statistical methods to test hypotheses 
• Communicate science effectively through writing and presentations 
• Collaborate with a research team in a dynamic environment 
• Write a scientific paper that contributes to the field