Last updated 25 July 2008
© 2008 Dustin Rubenstein

Ecology, evolution, and physiology of complex breeding systems

As a behavioral and evolutionary ecologist, I take an integrative approach to understanding the evolution of complex breeding systems (reproductive life histories, social systems, mating systems) in vertebrates and invertebrates. I study how physiological and individual level processes contribute to larger scale phenomenon, but I approach questions from an evolutionary perspective to examine the costs and benefits of different reproductive strategies. Broadly, I examine how physiological mechanisms, behavioral decisions, and other individual level processes influence population level processes and other larger scale patterns. Specifically, I seek to understand how ecology shapes individual reproductive decisions and interspecific patterns of sociality by trying to unravel the interaction among physiology, life history, and behavior at different levels. My work involves wild and captive individuals, and entails comparisons of closely related species and systems.  I work broadly across regions, but I also work intensively at individual sites on long-term study populations. I employ a variety of lab techniques (molecular genetics, endocrinology, immunology, stable isotope analysis), field methodologies (behavioral observations, lab experiments, field manipulations), and statistical and theoretical approaches (comparative analyses, game theory modeling) in birds, reptiles, and crustaceans.

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