Evolutionary Ecology

Explore Research at the University of Florida: Christine Miller, a University of Florida evolutionary ecologist, studies the leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata, to determine the relationship between genes and environment. Wrestling with their hind legs, male Narnia compete for the best cactus territories where females come to mate and lay eggs. Miller and her team bred thousands of the insects and raised them in different nutritional environments. The research showed the insects' genes are context-dependent, meaning males that were most successful in a rich nutritional environment weren't necessarily the most successful in a poor environment, regardless of their genetic makeup.