BIO

My name is Natalie and I am from Bradenton, Florida. My favorite thing about being a biological sciences major is that I get to learn more about unique organisms and where they come from. Because I have always been interested in genetics and evolution, my dream career would be related to genetic or evolutionary research. However, I really enjoy working with live animals as well which I had the opportunity to do with my research for this symposium. I will be graduating this spring and my post-graduation plans are to work for a year or two and then continue my education with either a masters or PhD program.

Mate Recognition in the Simultaneous Hermaphrodite Sea Slug Doto chica

Abstract

Mate choice and mate recognition have been thoroughly studied in separate sex animals. The present study, however, explores potential ways in which aquatic hermaphrodites recognize potential mates, as their methods differ from those of separate sex animals. In this study, I studied mate recognition in the sea slug Doto chica, an aquatic hermaphroditic gastropod that leaves behind energetically costly mucus as a result of locomotion. This mucus is likely also used to communicate with others. In two treatments of choosing between a living adult or no adults, or choosing between mucus or no mucus trails D. chica may be better at locating potential mates using a mucus trail.

Keywords: hermaphrodite, signalling, recognition