Luke Holman
Papers
2
Total Citations
29
H-Index
2
About
Luke Holman is a behavioral ecologist whose research illuminates the intricate dynamics of animal communication and mate choice, particularly in fiddler crabs. His work explores how environmental complexity shapes sexual selection, challenging traditional laboratory-based assumptions about signaling. In his highly cited 2014 study, *"Female preferences for timing in a fiddler crab with synchronous courtship waving displays"* (22 citations), Holman demonstrated that females exhibit nuanced preferences for the precise timing of male waving displays, revealing sophisticated decision-making in noisy social environments. His complementary study, *"Fiddlers on the roof: elevation muddles mate choice in fiddler crabs"* (7 citations), showed that physical terrain—specifically elevation—can disrupt female assessment of male claw size and wave speed, a finding with broad implications for understanding signal reliability in natural habitats. By bridging field observations with experimental rigor, Holman has advanced our understanding of how ecological context influences mate choice evolution. His work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in sexual selection, sensory ecology, and the often-overlooked role of environmental structure in shaping animal behavior.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Fiddlers on the roof: elevation muddles mate choice in fiddler crabs7 citations · 2014