Research Interests
I am an animal behaviorist interested in the evolution
of alternative strategies and tactics and the economics and mechanisms
of decision making in animals. In particular, I am studying the
evolution of mating and nesting behavior of horseshoe crabs. I am also
interested in sexual selection, mate choice, and paternal care, the
evolution of sex ratios, the evolution of life-history patterns (e.g.
emergence and diapause) and the evolution of social behavior (e.g.
nesting behavior of solitary and social wasps).
Representative Publications
Vélez, M. and H.J. Brockmann. 2006. Seasonal variation in selection on male calling song in the field Cricket, Gryllus rubens. Animal Behaviour 72:439-448.
Veléz, M. and H.J. Brockmann. 2006. Seasonal variation in female phonotaxis to male calling song of the field cricket Gryllus rubens. Ethology 112:1041-1049.
Sirot, L.K., H.J. Brockmann and S.L. Lapointe. 2007. Male postcopulatory reproductive success in the beetle, Diaprepes abbreviatus. Animal Behaviour 74:143-152.
Schwab, R., H.J. Brockmann. 2007. The role of visual and chemical cues in the mating decisions of satellite male horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus). Animal Behaviour 74:837-846.
Brockmann, H.J. 2008. Alternative reproductive tactics in insects. IN: Alternative Reproductive Tactics – An Integrative Approach. R.F. Oliveira, M. Taborsky and H.J. Brockmann (eds.). Cambridge University Press. Pp. 177-223.
Brockmann, H.J and M. Taborsky. 2008. Alternative reproductive tactics and the evolution of alternative allocation phenotypes. IN: Alternative Reproductive Tactics – An Integrative Approach. R.F. Oliveira, M. Taborsky and H.J. Brockmann (eds.). Cambridge University Press. Pp. 25-51.
Brockmann, H.J. and M.D. Smith. 2009. Reproductive competition and sexual selection in horseshoe crabs. IN: Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs. J. Tanacredi, M. Botton, and D. Smith (eds.). Springer Science. Pp. 199-221.
Zaldívar-Rae, J., R.E. Sapién-Silva, M. Rosales-Raya, and H. J. Brockmann. 2009. American horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, in Mexico: open possibilities. IN: Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs. J. Tanacredi, M. Botton, and D. Smith (eds.). Springer Science. Pp. 97-113.
Taborsky, M. and H.J. Brockmann. 2010. Alternative reproductive tactics and life history phenotypes. IN: Animal Behaviour: Evolution and Mechanisms. P. Kappeler (ed.). Springer Verlag Publ. pp. 537-586.
Pereira, R., J. Sivinski, P. Teal and H.J. Brockmann. 2010. Enhancing male sexual success in a lekking fly (Ananstrepha suspensa (Loew; Tephritidae) through a juvenile hormone analog has no effect on adult mortality. Journal of Insect Physiology, 56: 1552-1557.
Johnson, S.L. and H.J. Brockmann. 2010. Costs of multiple mates: an experimental study in horseshoe crabs Animal Behaviour 80: 773-782. Chosen as featured article of the month Animal Behaviour 80:771.
Saunders, K. and H.J. Brockmann, W. Watson and S.J. Jury. 2010. Male horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, use multiple sensory cues to locate mates. Current Zoology, 56: 485-498.
Brockmann, H.J. and S.L. Johnson. 2011. A long-term study of horseshoe crabs in Florida. Estuaries and Coasts. A long-term study of spawning activity in aq Florida Gulf coast population of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus). Estuaries and Coasts. 34: 1049-1067.