On April 9, 2025, Alison Pischedda, assistant professor of biology, published new research in Evolution alongside research technician Avigayil Lev ’22, Biology staff member Abigail Gutierrez ’20, current Barnard student Aanya Srinivasan ’26, and collaborators from Canisius University.
The paper, titled “Indirect fitness benefits can reinforce the direct fitness benefits of male mate choice,” explores a surprising aspect of mate selection in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster): how male preferences may be shaped not just by immediate advantages, but also by long-term benefits passed on to offspring. While it’s well known that female fruit flies who are larger tend to produce more offspring, this research shows that mating with larger females can also result in daughters who are more reproductively successful. Interestingly, these benefits did not extend to sons. The findings suggest that, for males, choosing a mate isn’t just about short-term gains—it could also boost their genetic legacy through future generations. This work highlights the overlooked role of indirect benefits in the evolution of male mating preferences.