Researcher Recognised By Royal Entomological Society
3 April 2012
Dr Karim Vahed, who has been made a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society
A University of Derby academic has been elected to become a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.
Dr Karim Vahed, a senior lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences degree and Programme Leader for MSc in Conservation Biology has been recognised by the Society for his 'substantial contribution to the study of insects though publications and other works'.
Karim joins the ranks of esteemed Fellows of the Royal Entomological Society, which have included Charles Darwin and his naturalist forerunner, Alfred Russel Wallace.
Whilst at the University of Derby, Dr Vahed has produced numerous research papers in his area of interest - crickets, more specifically, aspects of their reproductive biology.
"My research is concerned with the selective pressures responsible for the evolution of certain sexual characteristics and behaviours in different species of cricket," he said.
One area of Karim's research is the reasons behind nuptial feeding behaviour found in some species of insects and spiders. "I am interested to understand the reasons behind these food gifts from males to females during copulation, and whether they are mutually beneficial for the two sexes, or whether they are actually a subtle way in which the male can manipulate the reproductive behaviour of the female against her evolutionary interests," he said.
Karim's research hit news headlines around the world in 2010 after he discovered that the male Tuberous Bushcricket (Platycleis affinis) has the largest testicles in relation to body weight of any animal on the planet. The testes make up 14% of the male body mass, according to the research which was published in Biology Letters.
More recently, while seeking to understand the evolutionary significance of lengthy copulation duration, Karim found evidence that it could signify a choosy male taking the time to assess the suitability of his female mate.
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences, Professor Guy Daley, said: "We are all incredibly proud of Karim's research achievements, and he is certainly worthy of this recognition from the Royal Entomological Society."
