Dr Greg Holwell

Lecturer City Campus Room 110-139 E-mail: g.holwell@auckland.ac.nz phone: +64 9 3737599 ext 83652

Research Interests

1. The behaviour, ecology & evolution of the praying mantids

The praying mantids are among the most charismatic but most poorly understood insect orders. My research ranges from broad ecological and evolutionary questions through to investigating specific aspects of their reproductive behaviour and morphology such as sexual cannibalism and complex genital morphology. I use a range of field and laboratory approaches to increase our knowledge of the mantids found in this corner of the world (New Zealand, Australia and South-east Asia).

2. The evolution of genitalia

Male genital morphology evolves rapidly and divergently in comparison to other morphological traits. My research ranges from studying the functional morphology of genitalia (How do male and female genitalia interact?) to the influence of sexual selection on genital morphology (How does variation in genital morphology influence sperm transfer and fertilisation success?) and patterns of genital variation such as the genital dimorphism that occurs in the praying mantis Ciulfina baldersoni. Dr Robert Hoare (Landcare Research) and I are currently seeking students to work on this topic in the remarkable moth genus Izatha.

3. Sperm competition and male mate choice

In polyandrous species, males possess extraordinary adaptations for the avoidance of sperm competition. I am interested in investigating male morphological and behavioural adaptations used to monopolise fertilisation. While females are generally regarded as the choosy sex, it has recently become apparent that when female quality varies, males may also exhibit mating preferences and can strategically allocate more sperm to preferred mates. I am interested in investigating these ideas further with New Zealand invertebrate species.

4. Evolutionary ecology of New Zealand’s terrestrial invertebrates

I am generally interested in the evolutionary and behavioural ecology of terrestrial invertebrates and so I am happy to discuss projects with students interested in working on any of New Zealand’s fascinating terrestrial invertebrate fauna. I am keen to work with students on insects, arachnids and myriapods and there are many poorly studied groups in New Zealand awaiting our attention.

Collaborators

Marie Herberstein (Macquarie University, Australia)

Tom Tregenza (University of Exeter, U.K.)

Jonathon Evans (University of Western Australia)

Andre Gilburn (University of Stirling, Scotland)

Robert Hoare (Landcare Research, New Zealand)

Recent Publications

• Holwell G.I. (2008) Geographic variation in genital morphology in praying mantids (Ciulfina: Liturgusidae: Mantodea) Journal of Zoology 276(1): 108-114
• Barry K., Holwell, G.I. & Herberstein, M.E. (2008) A fecundity benefit for sexually cannibalistic females of the false garden mantid. Behavioral Ecology 19(4):710-715
• Holwell G.I. (2008) Male control of copulation duration in Ciulfina praying mantids (Mantodea: Liturgusidae). Ethology, Ecology & Evolution 20: 61-70
• Winnick, C., Holwell G.I. & Herberstein M.E. (2008) Internal reproductive anatomy of the praying mantis Ciulfina klassi (Mantodea: Liturgusidae). Arthropod Structure & Function 38(1): 60-69
• Holwell G.I., Barry K, and Herberstein M.E. (2007). Mate location, antennal morphology and ecology in praying mantids. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 91: 307-313
• Holwell G.I. (2007) Spermatophore feeding and mating behaviour in praying mantids (Mantodea: Liturgusidae). Journal of Zoology 271 (3): 255-260.