A key next step for the field is therefore to move toward predictive frameworks—grounded in mechanistic approaches—that can explain when and why SSB emerges from the interplay of social environment, life history, and ecological context.

More broadly, I argue that despite its sexual form, SSB is often co-opted for nonreproductive functions—such as reinforcing social bonds and clarifying dominance relationships.

The recurrence of these functions across taxa suggests that SSB is fundamentally context dependent.

So the question has shifted:

From
"does it exist?"
to
"why does it persist evolutionarily?"

In my commentary, I highlight a new study that tackles this directly:

Using multiple species of field crickets to empirically test competing hypotheses about SSB.

For decades, scientists were skeptical of same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) in animals, often dismissing it as “misdirected” courtship or sensory error.

But that view doesn’t hold up anymore.

SSB has now been documented in 1,500+ species across nearly every major lineage.

Sadly I missed your talk and the chance to meet you. It looks like you had a wonderful trip!

Looking forward to building on these conversations!

Amazing work by the organising committee to put this huge conference together. Until next time Behaviour/ Kolkata!

5/5

Another milestone: one of my first invited talk at a conference! I even took the liberty of giving a non-data talk, one based largely on ideas. Preparing for it was both exciting and a little intimidating, but the experience was quite rewarding.

4/5

I ended up co-organising two symposia with early-career researcher friends. We brought together a diverse mix of speakers, spanning taxa, concepts, tools, and academic stages. Both sessions were well received!

3/5

Always a treat to meet old friends and colleagues!

But since it was one of my first conferences as a faculty member, I wasn’t quite prepared for the interest and attention from so many young researchers who initiated conversations. It was truly humbling and gratifying!

2/5

What we research: predator-prey interactions, phenotype-environment matching, nutritional ecology, landscape of fear 🕷️🦗

🎓Candidates with national-level qualifications (UGC-CSIR, GATE, NET, etc.) are exempt from Univ PhD entrance

📩 Questions? Email me: vtorseka [at] gitam.edu
#BehaviouralEcology 🌏

Thanks Michael!
Are you planning on attending the conference?

🦚🪲🦗🌏

🐜🐜🐜🦌🦌🦌🐟🐟🐟🌏