This National Science Foundation project grant award of $307,486 provides funding from April 2022 through March 2026 to support research examining signals of genetic quality and mate choice in nonhuman primates. Funded under the federal Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences program (CFDA 47.075), the award to California Lutheran University will advance knowledge of physiology and social evolution in primate relatives through field-based research and laboratory analysis.
Undergraduate students will collect behavioral data in the field and assist with disseminating findings. The research team will integrate this field data with molecular genetic methods to examine relationships between seasonal male fat increases, major histocompatibility complex gene variation, and reproductive success. Specifically, the work will determine parent-offspring relationships and assess whether fat increases signal genetic quality to females or result from male competition. In addition to contributing new insights into sexual selection, the award supports participation of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields through mentored research opportunities and conservation education activities.
Generated 1/7/24, 10:19 AM