Reproductive interference occurs when individuals direct sexual behaviours towards other species and this causes a reduction in the fitness of one or both of the participants. While initially considered to be little more than an aberration, reproductive interference is increasingly recognised, not just as a factor in determining species co-existence and community dynamics, but also as an opportunity to further our understanding of sexual selection. In this thesis I investigate the causes and consequences of reproductive interference between several species of true bugs (Order: Hemiptera) in the family Lygaeidae. These species have a polgynandrous mating system, in which both males and females mate multiple times. I found that the interspecific mating attempts often witnessed in these bugs is likely a consequence of this mating system, as potential cues for species discrimination, in the form of cuticular hydrocarbons, are available and can be utilised by the bugs in some contexts. This is further supported by the finding that pre-copulatory selection on factors such as diet and chemical protection are weak in these insects. Furthermore, my work highlights the context-dependant nature of both the fitness costs associated with reproductive interference, and also of the bugs' intra-specific behaviour. When housed in groups, female Lygaeus equestris did not show consistent fitness losses in response to harassment by either conspecific or heterospecific males, despite previous evidence showing that such males inflict costs on both egg production and longevity when interacting one-to-one. This, combined with the finding that male L. equestris alter their mate-guarding behaviour in the presence of other males, highlights the potential of behavioural flexibility to influence the outcome of inter-species interactions, and the importance of context when attempting to measure phenomena such as reproductive interference.

ITC/USA 2011 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Seventh Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2011 / Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada / With the increasing demand on available frequencies used for Telemetry transmission, it is important for the test ranges to be good stewards of the spectrum. One method is a new use of Best Source Selection. This method consists of placing data-quality encapsulators at the output of each of the TM receivers used. This system works without the need to use pattern detect which allows for the use of Best Source Selection without the need for decrypting the data. In conjunction with new system architecture, this setup is how the Atlantic Test Range is using best source selection in the future.

<p>According to Barclay (2001), behavioral interviews yield higher quality information, than other interview techniques. This study focused on whether the quality and quantity of information differ between structured interview and behavioral interviewing. Two headhunters held 16 job interviews with the two techniques, 9 behavioral interviews and 7 structured interviews. Both headhunters and candidates have evaluated the interviews quantitatively. Initial and concluding interviews have, as well, been held with the headhunters.  No definitive answers were found in the quantitative analysis, but the qualitative results suggest that behavioral interviews give, because of the headhunters opinions, more and higher quality information. Continued development of the technique and themselves are the headhunters next steps in order to improve their recruitment process.</p> / <p><p>Enligt Barclay (2001) erhålls bättre kvalitet på informationen som insamlas genom beteendeintervjuer, än genom andra intervjutekniker. Denna studie fokuserar på att se om kvaliteten och mängden information skiljer sig mellan strukturerad intervju och beteendeintervju. Två rekryterare har hållit 16 anställningsintervjuer med de två intervjuteknikerna, nio med beteendeintervju och sju med strukturerad intervju. Både rekryterare och kandidater har efteråt utvärderat intervjuerna kvantitativt, inledande och avslutande intervjuer har även hållits med rekryterarna. Inga tydliga svar kunde utläsas utav den kvantitativa analysen, men de kvalitativa resultaten tyder på att beteendeintervju var bättre gällande att rekryterarna totalt sett ansåg sig få mer och säkrare information om kandidaterna genom den tekniken. Att utveckla beteendeintervjumallen och sig själva är rekryterarnas nästa steg i att förbättra sin rekryteringsprocess.</p></p>

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The determinants of sexual dimorphism in a family of false scorpions (Pseudoscorpionida, Chernetidae) were investigated experimentally and with a literature analysis of comparative morphometric and habitat data. Species vary in the extent to which males and females differ in size of the conspicuous, prehensile pedipalps. Patterns within the Chernetidae suggest that dimorphism is a highly variable condition, relatively unconstrained by phylogenetic influences. The evolution of species with enlarged male pedipalps appears to be associated with a change from nonpairing to pairing sperm transfer behavior, and aggressive mate acquisition by males. Experiments with Dinocheirus arizonensis demonstrate a high correlation between male combat ability and chela size. Comparison of male and female life histories show prolonged development in males, and morphological comparisons implicate pedipalp dimorphism as a causative factor in this developmental rate difference. Prolonged development may be particularly costly to males, given the pattern of female sexual receptivity in this species. Females were found to become unreceptive soon after mating and remain so throughout a protected period of brood development. Experimental manipulations suggest that the male developmental rate cost is only outweighed under high density conditions when superior combat ability results in increased mating success. Repeated measures experiments failed to show any correlation between male pedipalp size and number of spermatophores accepted by a female. Parent-offspring regressions suggest the existence of additive genetic variance for male chela size and indicate a strong genetic correlation between this trait and cephalothorax length. Full-sib phenotypic correlations suggest that in D. arizonensis sexual divergence through sexual selection may be constrained by a high genetic correlation between males and females. Finally, the role of phoresy in the colonization of ephemeral, patchy habitats is investigated. Results support the hypothesis that attachment of pseudoscorpions to larger, more mobile arthropods represents a behavior functioning specifically for dispersal.

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