Kerstin Musolf Konrad Lorenz-Institute of Ethology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, A Title Who to Choose? Female Mate Choice in Small Mammals Abstract My research concentrates on female mate choice and its role in sexual selection using small mammals as model species. Small mammals show a high variety in their mating systems ranging from monogamy to polygamy and promiscuity. It seems self-evident that the female’s options under different mating systems might not be the same resulting in different selection pressures. I compare mating preferences found in female wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) with data from wild house mice (Mus musculus musculus). Whereas the wood mouse is a semi-social species in which females have multiple mating partners for each estrus cycle, house mice live in harems with a dominant male. The house mouse has been used as a model organism and extensively studied in the lab. Nevertheless studies on wild house mice remain sparse. Comparing different standardized preference tests in the lab (odor preference tests, direct mate choice tests) and paternity data from the wild will give us a better general view of choice criteria under natural conditions. CV Date of Birth: October 21, 1971 Nationality: German Education Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Vienna, Austria: Postdoc Position (since April 2004) University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany:Postdoc Position (2002-2004) MHC and mate choice and the evolution of MHC polymorphism in the genus Apodemus (Advisor: PD Dr. Simone Sommer) University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany Ph.D. Candidate (1997-2002) Behavioral ecology studies of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus ) (Advisor: PD Dr. Gabriele Gerlach) Diploma (masters degree) - 1996 Thesis: Fragmentation of landscape as a cause for genetic subdivision in small mammal populations (Advisor: Prof. Dr. H. Markl, Dr. Gabriele Gerlach) Teaching experience 1997-1999 "Behavioral Ecology and Evolutionary Biology", Course for advanced undergraduate students, yearly, 6 weeks, lab practicals, supervision of student projects 1997-1999 "Evolutionary Biology", Presentation and discussion of current literature for undergraduate students, tutorials 1996 -2000 "Animal anatomy", Course in Zoology, labs for undergraduate students Research Interests Sexual selection and mating systems MHC: odor reflection and discriminationo Kin recognitiono Mouse song: cues used in mate choice? Current Project The genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are highly polymorphic. Besides their function in the immune system, the coded proteins also influence individual body odor. My current research aims to clarify if MHC genes are reflected in individual odor profiles of wild house mice and, if so, their possible role in mate choice decisions and kin recognition. Very recently I also became interested in ultrasound vocalization in house mice and its possible influence in mate choice. Selected recent publications Musolf, K., Y. Meyer-Lucht and S. Sommer (2004). Evolution of MHC- DRB class II polymorphism in the genus Apodemus and a comparison of DRB sequences within the family Muridae (Mammalia: Rodentia). Immunogenetics 56 (6): 420-426 Musolf, K. (2002). Verhaltensökologische Untersuchung an Waldmäusen (Apodemus sylvaticus) - Behavioral ecology studies of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). PhD Thesis. Faculty of Biology. University of Konstanz: pp 114. http://www.ub.uni-konstanz.de/kops/volltexte/2002/901 Harr, B., Musolf K. and G. Gerlach (2000). Isolation of DNA microsatellite primers in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus, Rodentia). Molecular Ecology 9: 1664-1665 Gerlach, G. and K. Musolf (2000). Fragmentation of landscape as a cause for genetic subdivision in bank voles. Conservation Biology 14 (4): 1066-1074 Musolf, K. (1996). Isolationswirkung von Verkehrswegen auf Kleinsäugerpopulationen - populationsgenetische und verhaltensökologische Untersuchung. Diploma Thesis, Faculty of Biology, University of Konstanz: pp 111. Unrefereed scientific reports / Contributions Gerlach, G., K. Musolf and A. Bally (1996). Genetische Isolation von Kleinsäugerpopulationen durch Fragmentierung der Landschaft. In: Projekt "Angewandte Ökologie" . Karlsruhe, Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz Baden Württemberg. 16: 195-204. Institution address Dr. Kerstin Musolf Konrad Lorenz-Institute of Ethology Savoyenstraße 1a 1160 Vienna Austria Phone: +43 1 51581-2761 Fax: +43 1 51581-2800 k.musolf@klivv.oeaw.ac.at http://www.oeaw.ac.at/klivv/en/persons/musolf.html