field notes

Lizard Wizard

A study by CTR postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Ryan Calsbeek, created quite a stir in the popular media upon publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science on November 5th, 2002. In Ryan's words:

"My work on side-blotched lizards shows that female mate choice is about both the male¹s territory and his genes. Usually, large males and the best territory go hand in hand because larger males outcompete the smaller ones for the best bachelor pads. However, by experimentally manipulating territory quality, I was able to differentiate between female preferences for males and their resources. My colleague Barry Sinervo and I rearranged the territories of a population of side-blotched lizards, Ula stansburiana. We took rocks good for sheltering and sunning from the territories controlled by larger males and placed them in the territories of smaller males. We then recorded where the females chose to settle and with whom they mated. The females preferred to set up nests in the better territories, even if a smaller male controlled the area. The females, however, also mated with larger males outside of their chosen territory. We used the progeny's DNA to determine paternity, and we found that most male offspring were larger, sired by the larger lizard. Female offspring tended to be smaller and sired by the smaller territory owner. We show that this selective sperm utilization gives the female ultimate control over her mating choice and outcome, thus cementing female mate choice as a powerful form of sexual selection that shapes species over time."

The Associated Press has picked up the story and it can now be seen on CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, L.A. Times, Washington Post, Discovery Chanel, NPR, among other places. Please visit the following links for details:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/11/04/lizards.sex.ap/index.html

http://cbc.ca/stories/2002/11/04/lizard021104

November 14, 2002
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Home \| Mission \| Research \| People \| Events \| Contact us \| Field notes \| Donations \| Links CTR Newsletter for Spring 2003 FIELD NOTES: Recent CTR news and updates CTR's first open house CTR Endowment Receives First Major Gift West African Colleagues Visit CTR Lab CTR Workshop on Rainforest Diversification and Conservation Lizard Wizard CTR facilitates Memorandum of Agreement between UCLA and Ecuadorian University
CTR's first Open House! On May 14th, the Center for Tropical Research held its first open house to welcome all Affiliated Faculty, Senior Research Fellows, and interested members of the UCLA community to meet CTR faculty, postdocs, students and staff. It was an opportunity to update everyone on CTR research projects and international research nodes, as well as to brainstorm new collaborative projects for the future. Judging by the crowd of 75-plus who stopped in, the decibel level of lively discussion, and the empty plates and glasses during the clean-up, a good time was had by all. May 28, 2003 BACK TO TOP CTR Endowment Receives First Major Gift On December 20, 2002, a generous gift was made to the Institute of the Environment for the Center for Tropical Research. The gift eventually will create the E.P. and Betty Franklin Endowed Fund in Tropical Conservation. UCLA planned giving staff worked closely with donor Betty Franklin, to establish a Life Estate Gift Annuity. This gift arrangement enables Betty to give a gift of her home of 56 years to The UCLA Foundation while continuing to live in and enjoy it. Betty will receive lifetime annuity payments, and after her lifetime, her gift will benefit the Center for Tropical Research. CTR gratefully acknowledges the generosity of donor, Betty Franklin. In order to get to know our benefactor a bit more, we asked Betty to give us a little background on her life and interests, and tell us a about her late husband, E.P. Betty graciously responded with the following written account for our newsletter and website. February 15, 2002 On April 19, 1917, I was born in Westwood, Lassen County. It's a small California town, near Lake Alamanor, Susanville, and not too far from Nevada and was owned by the Red River Lumber Company and featured one dentist-my dad. I grew up being fascinated with his medical books and planned on eventually doing scientific research. But a talent for acting took precedence and all through grade and high school, I was doing something on stage. After graduating, my father, now divorced from my mom, insisted that I pursue a higher education. But a friend and I with whom I'd appeared in Bay Area little theater performances, were offered something irresistible. We were invited to join a New York repertory company, founded by leading actors from the famed Moscow Art Theater. A challenging audition was required, and both of us were accepted. The Stanislavsky Method of acting (still prevalent in theater arts) was what our group featured. It was complex, disciplined-in itself a veritable philosophy for living. In fact, I considered it to be comparable to an academic education. So I was motivated to disappoint my dad and follow my bliss. We studied day and night, day in, day out, for four years-poor and hungry, but dedicated. Finally our director considered us ready to find a backer for a Broadway presentation, which was accomplished. Then we rehearsed for another full year, before appearing at the Vanderbilt Theater. The play by August Strindberg was mystical and in no way acceptable to the denizens of Manhattan at that time. In other words, it was a huge flop, much publicized in local reviews and not "damned with faint praise", but damned with headlines. Our group was devastated and destroyed. But with the help of a member of our former group, I was given very brief lines in major radio shows of the time, such as Gang Busters, and Mr. District Attorney. During that period, I got to know very talented actors, many of whom went on to TV and movies. In a while, I found work in the garment district, modeling flimsy coats in the icy New York winters and vice versa in summer months. I wasn't a very good model, but the four brother owners like me and decided I could best serve them by writing their correspondence for which I had more talent. Eventually, after all the years of struggling, I was homesick and returned to Westwood for a family visit. But getting employment was still a factor, so the Bay Area was my next destination. There I met a radio station salesman, who urged me to consider becoming an off-the-beaten path personality, writing scripts about exploring special shops, to be broadcast on what was then KJBS, where he worked. I followed the suggestion, waited and waited and finally consulted a former Westwood friend, involved in the broadcast industry. He assured me that the KJ format-a very successful one-was exclusively news and music and then and there phoned the manager, Ed Franklin, saying I was on my way to talk with him. I marched in, submitted my manuscripts, only to learn that what my friend had said was true, even though manager Franklin complimented my efforts. He asked if I could write advertising copy, to which I boldly replied, 'certainly.' It wasn't true, but I had to believe I could do it. And I did-at Ed's best friend's advertising agency. The job went well and I learned valuable new skills which bolstered faith in myself. Ray Sines, my new boss often predicted that Elizabeth Edwards (my maiden name) and E.P. Franklin would marry. This amazed me because there had been no evidence of that. Finally, the handsome hunk, considered to be a great catch, invited me to dinner and a play, at which time we both made it clear that marriage for us was out of the question, because we wanted to pursue careers. As it turned out, that first date was on July 1st, 1941 and we said our vows on the following August 15th! After the whirlwind courtship, I was to learn that I'd married a remarkable man, beautiful inside and out. And I was blessed with him, this lovely property which we found together, and 30 shared years until Eepie suddenly passed away on December 4, 1971. He was only 63. Tributes coming to me from many sources, emphasized how respected, admired and loved he was. We had become passionately involved in environmental matters, triggered when a deer-kill was planned on the Tamalpais game refuge, where our home was and is situated. Because of Eepie's popularity within broadcast and print media, we had important access to them and became increasingly caught up in crusading for a safer environment, freer from toxic substances, especially those from industrial stacks. And we became recognized nationwide, as an effective team. After my husband's death, I was invited to write for Prevention magazine, briefly, until the editor left for a competitive publication, Let's LIVE. He asked me to come along, which I did, originally specializing in rather staid scientific articles. But it was rewarding to have health professionals thank me for making a rhetorical bridge between scientific jargon and lay persons' understanding of it. When asked to do a more informal column, I was delighted, named it "Of Many Things," and it was published every month for all those years, becoming quite popular. Writing for Let's LIVE magazine continued from 1974 until just several years ago. I miss the privilege of sharing information, but so many maintenance projects here where I've lived since Halloween in 1947, keep me busy from mid-morning until early next day. Being 85, I've slowed down a bit and everything takes longer. After a five year drought, I began feeding starving deer and raccoons and sometimes foxes-even skunks. Now they all hang out here and I'm totally obligated, so I don't travel, which is no problem. If "civilization" hadn't ruthlessly encroached upon their habitats, feeding them would be wrong, but I feel they're owed a little help. They've become my family-not pets, but great friends. And of course, the wonderful wild birds get special seed and nectar. I also cherish two little dogs-Holly and Ariel. Now, I'm finding great fulfillment in knowing that this lovely land will serve a good cause, when I pass on. And it was my contact with Professor Thomas B. Smith, of the UCLA Center for Tropical Research-involving several serendipity aspects that assured me it was a green-light decision. Moreover, it was one, I believe, that would be fully endorsed by my husband (and one in which, I think, his spirit rejoices). How urgent it has become that dedicated researchers discover why so many precious species of plants and animals are vanishing, and in so doing, help to both save and restore them! Various persons from the University have come to visit me and letters-even from the Chancellor-warmly express their appreciation of the gift. I treasure those responses and hope some part of me will be aware, after death, of whatever help has been contributed to the Center for Tropical Research of the UCLA Institute of the Environment. Betty Franklin February 3, 2003 BACK TO TOP
West African Colleagues Visit CTR Lab The CTR conservation genetics laboratory hosted a visit from two colleagues from West Africa during October and November, 2002. Dr. Blaise Kadjo and Mr. Bertin Akpatou, researchers at the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, came to the lab to learn various techniques for understanding the molecular genetics of mammal and bird populations in their native country. They have been involved in field studies for a CTR research project focusing on the importance of evolutionary processes in ecological gradients that exist in riverine, montane, savannah and rainforest ecosystems in West Africa. UCLA graduate student, Debra Pires, facilitated training for Blaise and Bertin, who will apply their training to future research that will refine conservation policies and practices in their home country. During their stay in California, they also participated in the CTR workshop on Rainforest Diversification and Conservation, and had the opportunity to visit the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. December 19, 2002 BACK TO TOP			Blaise Kadjo (left) and Bertin Akpatou at work in the CTR molecular genetics laboratory

CTR Workshop on Rainforest Diversification and Conservation For the past three years, CTR researchers and collaborating scientists have been working on an NSF-funded project to examine the importance of evolutionary processes in the generation and maintenance of biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. These forces seem especially strong along environmental gradients, such as those that exist between savannah and rainforest in West Africa and along gradients in the Andes. On November 8th and 9th, CTR convened a gathering at UCLA to discuss the implications of the research findings for conservationof tropical ecosystems. Over forty people attended, including collaborating scientists from Boston University, UC Berkeley, University of Queensland, University of Cocody (Cote d'Ivoire), and JPL/NASA. Scientists gave short presentations on their findings, covering a broad spectrum of taxa (from frogs and lizards to birds and bats). Evidence of microevolutionary change was found in each of these taxa in a variety of morphological and behavioral traits, as well as in molecular genetic structure. Parallel work in Australia, West Africa, and Ecuador showed concordant patterns, indicating that many of the evolutionary processes responsible for generating tropical diversity are similar across continents. From left to right: Sasan Saatchi, Robert Wayne, Chris Schneider and Tom Smith Workshop agenda Major outcomes of the workshop
The Center For Tropical Research workshop participants. In order to better understand the conservation implications of the research, and to maximize the impact of the research for conservation planning and policy, CTR invited representatives from nongovernmental environmental organizations and the donor community. Representatives from WWF (West Africa), Jatun Sacha (Ecuador), The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation attended and provided valuable insight and an on-the-ground, practitioner's perspective for how the research can be applied to conservation efforts. A consensus was reached that evolutionary processes needed to be considered in addition to biodiversity 'hotspots', and that 'processes needed to be put on the map'. November 26, 2002 BACK TO TOP \|
Lizard Wizard A study by CTR postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Ryan Calsbeek, created quite a stir in the popular media upon publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science on November 5th, 2002. In Ryan's words: "My work on side-blotched lizards shows that female mate choice is about both the male¹s territory and his genes. Usually, large males and the best territory go hand in hand because larger males outcompete the smaller ones for the best bachelor pads. However, by experimentally manipulating territory quality, I was able to differentiate between female preferences for males and their resources. My colleague Barry Sinervo and I rearranged the territories of a population of side-blotched lizards, Ula stansburiana. We took rocks good for sheltering and sunning from the territories controlled by larger males and placed them in the territories of smaller males. We then recorded where the females chose to settle and with whom they mated. The females preferred to set up nests in the better territories, even if a smaller male controlled the area. The females, however, also mated with larger males outside of their chosen territory. We used the progeny's DNA to determine paternity, and we found that most male offspring were larger, sired by the larger lizard. Female offspring tended to be smaller and sired by the smaller territory owner. We show that this selective sperm utilization gives the female ultimate control over her mating choice and outcome, thus cementing female mate choice as a powerful form of sexual selection that shapes species over time." The Associated Press has picked up the story and it can now be seen on CNN, MSNBC, New York Times, L.A. Times, Washington Post, Discovery Chanel, NPR, among other places. Please visit the following links for details: http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/11/04/lizards.sex.ap/index.html http://cbc.ca/stories/2002/11/04/lizard021104 November 14, 2002 BACK TO TOP
CTR facilitates Memorandum of Agreement between UCLA and Ecuadorian University On August 26, 2002 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) formalized a cooperative academic agreement between the two institutions. This effort was spearheaded by Dr. Thomas B. Smith (Professor of Biology at UCLA and Director of Center for Tropical Research) and Dr. Santiago Gangotena (President of USFQ), both of whom are shown in the adjacent photo immediately after signing the agreement. The agreement paves the way for increased collaboration and cooperation between the two prestigious institutions, including exchange of students, professors, and researchers as well as jointly developed academic symposia and curricula. The agreement particularly strengthens ties between the Center for Tropical Research, which is housed in UCLA's Institute of the Environment, and USFQ's Tiputini Biological Station, which is located in the Amazon basin, and the newly opened GAIA institute, on the Galapagos Islands. This will increase the quantity and quality of scientific research projects being conducted at these unique localities, benefiting both institutions and the scientific community in general.		Dr. Santiago Gangotena President of the Universidad do San Francisco, de Quito signing academic agreement between UCLA and USFQ.
		Dr. Thomas Smith and Dr. Santiago Gangotena immediately after signing the agreement.
September 18, 2002 BACK TO TOP
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