Research interests: The evolution of the placenta marked a shift in the way maternal resources are allocated to reproduction. In addition, it created a new arena for interactions between maternal, paternal, and offspring genomes. In general, I am interested in studying the changes in parent-offspring and male-female interactions that are associated with placental evolution. I am studying this topic with fishes of the family Poeciliidae. I have been investigating inter- and intraspecific variation in life-histories (and degree of placentation) among different species in this family. I am now defining my dissertation project.
M.S. Thesis: Allocation of Reproductive Output in the Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata) in Southern California. California State University, Pomona. 2001.
Publications:
Pires, M. N., K. E. McBride, and D. N. Reznick. 2007. Interpopulation variation in life-history traits of Poeciliopsis prolifica: implications for the study of placental evolution. Journal of Experimental Zoology 307A:113-125.