David Gee - MSc Conservation Biology
Studying at Derby has allowed me to really focus on my area of science because the teaching staff understand that it's the passion for our subject that drives us forward.
”Biologist David Gee is conducting research for his doctorate to investigate the combative skills of African crickets and to see if the 'underdog' in terms of size and shape can be the victor depending on their tactics.
A selection of crickets and other insects are housed in the Insect House at the University's Kedleston Road site, in a laboratory which is kept at a temperature of about 28ºC to enable them to flourish.
David is a keen martial artist and is exploring a wide range of aspects which would affect how a cricket performs in a combative situation. Other literature focuses on single aspects such as the environment and the size of the cricket. David is looking at a more in-depth and thorough investigation which will examine aspects including nutrition, hydration, build and fighting style. He has already found that in extremely humid conditions crickets refuse to engage in combat. The various stages of combat in crickets include mutual avoidance, pre-established dominance, antennal fencing, mandible spreading (unilateral), mandible spreading (bilateral), mandible engagement and wrestling.
His research work will build on the existing research being carried out into the evolutionary patterns of crickets here at Derby, led by Dr Karim Vahed.
