Causes and consequences of condition-dependent life history strategies

Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) on a yucca (Yucca glauca) flower

I investigated mechanisms underlying condition-dependent life history strategies in sequentially flowering plants and insects that lay eggs in flowers using empirical and theoretical approaches. This work was carried out using the yucca-yucca moth study system.

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Jadeja S. and Tenhumberg B. (2018). Presence of fruits decrease probability of retaining flowers in a sequentially flowering plant. AoB PLANTS 10:ply033

Jadeja S. and Tenhumberg B. (2017) Phytophagous insect oviposition shifts in response to probability of flower abortion owing to the presence of basal fruits. Ecology and Evolution. 7(21):8770–8779

PhD dissertation from this work entitled "Condition-dependent life history strategies", submitted to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

Yucca moth pollination video and blurb in 'We Heart the Great Plains' at The Center for Great Plains Studies.

Poster presented by undergraduate student, Andrew Gebara at Undergraduate Research Fair, UNL Spring 2016

Effect of antelope mating strategies on the invasion of grasslands by a woody invasive

Indian blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) removing fruits of woody invasive mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)

Interaction between grassland dependent native antelope, blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and woody invasive, mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), threatens grasslands. The study examines how the intra-specific differences in blackbuck ranging and territorial behaviour differentially affect mesquite seed dispersal. Seed dispersal stages were sampled using camera trapping, scan sampling, quadrat plots and germination experiment. Results show that seed deposition and seedling recruitment were high on territories used mainly by territorial blackbuck males. Directed seed dispersal due to blackbuck male territorial behaviour facilitates mesquite spread in grasslands. The study helps predict pattern of spread of mesquite and device better management practices for its control.


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Jadeja S. Prasad S. Quader S. and Isvaran, K. (2013). Antelope mating strategies facilitate invasion of grasslands by a woody weed. Oikos. 122(10):1441–1452

Oikos Blog about publication

Article about publication in Current Science:
Herlekar, I. (2014). Architect of one's own destruction. Current Science, 106(7), 917-918.

First record of secondary pollen presentation in Cucurbitaceae family

Secondary pollen presentation on petal tips. (Photo credit: Garcia-Robledo C.)

First record of secondary pollen presentation in Sechium talamancensis, (Family: Cucurbitaceae), Cuericí Biological Station, Costa Rica.

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Jadeja S. (2015). First record on secondary pollen presentation in the Cucurbitaceae family. Plant Ecology and Evolution 148(2):297–299