Professor Dr. Sue Bertram

Biography

Dr. Sue Bertram's research utilizes a variety of laboratory and field-based techniques to investigate the maintenance of variation in sexually selected traits, addressing the inconsistencies in the theoretical understanding of these traits. The foundation of her work challenges the notion that fitness-conferring traits exhibit minimal genetic variation due to directional selection, proposing instead that sexually selected traits can display higher levels of heritable variation across different taxa. Bertram's research specifically focuses on field crickets as model organisms to explore these questions. Her findings aim to elucidate the causal mechanisms behind the maintenance of variation in sexually selected traits and have implications for understanding evolutionary biology and animal behavior. She has authored multiple publications in esteemed journals that reflect her expertise in behavioral ecology and sexual selection.

Research Interests