How do sexually dimorphic traits evolve and which selective pressures maintain them? We use several firefly species to study the evolution of different degrees of sexual dimorphism, from monomorphic to extreme dimorphism. More specifically, we investigate sex-biased expressed genes across phylogenies and using brownian motion models, we hope to uncover the selective forces maintaining gene expression variation.

Little is know about the demographic history of insects, even though this information is crucial to understand their adaptability through time. We are using population genetic approaches to investigate past population changes, gene flow level across firefly populations and loci putatively evolving under positive selection. Investigating connectivity across populations will uncover population dynamics that can be important for conservation purposes. Additionally, investigating the evolutionary forces acting on genomes, will give us a better understanding on how insect adapt to rapidly changing environments.

Snapshot of a Biologia Centrali Americana plate showing fireflies collected between 1884 and 1893.