Students will rear/collect Drosophila flies from several species across this well-studied genus, and prepare the adults for courtship in behavioral arenas. These courtship “dances” will be recorded as videos, and then those videos will be analyzed with computer-AI assisted software in order to assess and understand underlying sensory neurobiology. For example, data would include which species utilize their wings for song (sound) production, and which species use their wings to reflect light (vision) to attract and court a mate. This project takes advantage of vast genomic datasets available for most Drosophila species, as well as the recently completed connectome of the brain of Drosophila melanogaster to begin to tease apart the evolution processes of the brain during speciation events. Students would be trained in animal behavior, open-source computer software/analyses, as well as learn about the neurobiology of sensory systems.
Faculty Advisor | Ian W. Keesey |
Contact E-Mail | ikeesey2@unl.edu |
Department | School of Biological Sciences |
Potential UCARE Research Position? | Yes |
UCARE Terms | Both next summer (2024) and next academic year (2024-2025) |
Paid or Volunteer Experience? | Paid by UCARE Funding |
Hours per Week | Up to 10 in spring and fall; up to 20 in summer |
Acceptable Undergraduate Majors | Biology, Psychology, Entomology, Computer Science, Pre-med, Pre-dental |