Robin Tinghitella

Associate Professor; Associate Chair

http://tinghitellalab.weebly.com

Boettcher Center West, 2050 E. Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80208

What I do

I lead a research group at the University of Denver conducting basic and applied research to elucidate how animal behavior is shaped by evolution and responds to environmental change.

Specialization(s)

ecology, evolution, behavior

Professional Biography

As a behavioral ecologist, I work to understand how rapidly changing environments alter animal communication, particularly interactions between males and females. Researchers in my animal behavior lab use both insect and fish model systems and are supported by the National Science Foundation, the Morris Animal Foundation, the Society for the Study of Evolution, and the Animal Behavior Society (amongst others). I graduated from the University of Portland with a B.S. in Biology before earning my Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, where I studied the evolution of animal communication and social interactions. I then completed postdoctoral positions at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University (MSU). At MSU I led a National Science Foundation funded project linking ecology graduate students with K-12 teachers and students to improve the scientists’ teaching and communication skills. The experience ignited a long-lasting passion for science education and science communication.

Degree(s)

Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside, 2008
BS, Biology, University of Portland, 2002

Professional Affiliations

American Association of University Women
Animal Behavior Society
Entomological Society of America
International Society for Behavioral Ecology
Society for the Study of Evolution
The Orthopterists' Society
Sigma Xi

Media Sources

Research

I am an evolutionary and behavioral ecologist. My lab works to understand the forces that shape diversity in animal communication and social systems. Some of our recent work has focused on how global change influences mating behavior and secondary sexual characteristics in natural populations. We use insect and vertebrate model systems and draw on expertise in field and laboratory behavioral studies as well as population genomic tools. Research interests include: sexual selection and mate choice, the evolution of novelty, conflict between natural and sexual selection, parental effects, sexual selection and speciation, experience-mediated phenotypic plasticity, and noise pollution. See our lab website for additional details: https://tinghitellalab.weebly.com. The University of Denver also has an active group of organismal biologists. Learn more about us at: https://dueeb.weebly.com.

Areas of Research

Behavioral ecology

Evolutionary Biology

sexual selection

animal communication

Global Change

science communication

Key Projects

CAREER: Integrating contemporary evolution of animal communication in the field with science communication in our communities
Immune and reproductive costs of human-generated noise
RCN-UBE Incubator: Enhancing Undergraduate Biology Education through

Featured Publications

Tinghitella, R., Broder, E. D., Gallagher, J. H., Wikle, A. W., & Zonana, D. M. (2021). Responses of intended and unintended receivers to a novel sexual signal suggest clandestine communication. Nature Communications, 12. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-20971-5

Broder, E. D., Elias, D. O., Rodriguez, R. L., Rosenthal, G. G., Seymoure, B. M., & Tinghitella, R. (2021). Evolutionary novelty in communication between the sexes. Biology Letters, 17(2). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0733

Lehto, W. R., & Tinghitella, R. (2020). Predator-induced maternal and paternal effects independently alter sexual selection. Evolution, 74(2), 404-418. Retrieved from https://doi.org/0.1111/evo.13906

Gurule-Small, G. A., & Tinghitella, R. (2019). Life history consequences of developing anthropogenic noise. Global Change Biology. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14610

Larson, E. L., Tinghitella, R., & Taylor, S. A. (2019). Insect hybridization and climate change. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fevo.2019.00348

Tinghitella, R., Broder, E. D., Gurule-Small, G. A., Hallagan, C., & Wilson, J. D. (2018). Purring crickets: The evolution of a novel sexual signal. American Naturalist.

Gurule-Small, G., & Tinghitella, R. (2018). Developmental experience with anthropogenic noise hinders adult mate location. Biology Letters.

Tinghitella, R., Lackey, A. R., Martin, M., Dijkstra, P., Drury, J. P., Heathcote, R., et al. (2017). On the role of male competition in speciation: a review and research agenda. Behavioral Ecology .

Presentations

Tinghitella, R. (2019). Grand gestures and love notes: Animal communication in a changing world. University of California - Santa Barbara. University of California - Santa Barbara.

Tinghitella, R. (2019). Integrating the contemporary evolution of animal communication and science communication in our communities. Illinois State University. Normal, IL: Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society.

Tinghitella, R. (2020). Linking the contemporary evolution of animal communication and science communication in our communities. Department Seminar. Washington DC: George Washington University.

Tinghitella, R. (2019). How do new conversations begin? The evolution of a novel signal. Winter Animal Behavior Meeting. Steamboat, CO.

Awards

Excellence in Service Award, University of Denver, Department of Biological Sciences
Excellence in Teaching, University of Denver
Faculty Career Champion, University of Denver
Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, University of Denver, Department of Biological Sciences
Warder Clyde Allee Award, Animal Behavior Society