Brook O. Swanson

The Swanson Lab studies how complex mechanical systems evolve in animals. Recent work has focused on the evolution of sexually selected weapons in crabs and beetles. We have opportunities for undergraduate researchers to work on a project studying the behavior and mechanics of rhinoceros beetles. This project is a collaboration with the University of Montana and seeks to understand the evolution of rhinoceros beetle horns from the genes responsible for their development to their fitness consequences in the wild. Our specific work fits between these two ideas and seeks to connect genetic variation with mechanics and mechanics with fitness in these beetles. Research students are involved in experimental design, data collection (in the field and in the lab), data analysis, writing, and presentations.