Entomological Society of Canada Student Member Information Form

Name: David Punzalan

University: University of Toronto

Address: Department of Zoology, 25 Harbord St., Toronto ON, M5S 3G5

E-mail Address: punzalan@zoo.utoronto.ca

Advisor(s): Locke Rowe, Helen Rodd

Thesis Title: Evolution of sexual colour dimorphism in the ambush bug Phymata americana

Research Summary: My research is generally directed at understanding how divergent natural and/or sexual selection shapes the evolution of traits and mating systems. My work is primarily conducted using a sexually dimorphic bug (Phymata americana) which exhibits a rare example of sexual colour dimorphism. A causal explanation of this dimorphism is currently lacking. My interests span a broad range of evolutionary problems including: male-female coevolution, maintenance of genetic variation and multivariate phenotypic selection.

Keywords: Evolution, behavioural ecology, sexual selection, dimorphism, mating systems

Degrees Sought: Ph.D.

Expected Year of Completion: 2005

Publication(s):

Punzalan D, Guiasu RC, Belchior D, and Dunham DW. 2001. Discrimination of conspecific-built mud chimneys from human-built ones by the burrowing crayfish Fallicambarus fodiens (Cottle, 1863) (Decapoda: Cambaridae). Invertebrate Biology 120 (1): 58-66. (Undergraduate Honours thesis)

Personal webpage: http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/punzalan