Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
I have examined the evolutionary consequences of sperm competition for male and female reproductive physiology in house mice (Mus domesticus), at the whole organism and gametic levels. I have combined field based population approaches with experimental evolution in the laboratory, and used novel in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technologies to explore the hypothesis that sperm competition generates sexual conflict over fertilisation. Currently, I am interested in determining whether males and/or females use paternity biasing mechanisms to increase the production of male or female offspring under specific conditions. I also tend to explore the phenomenon of sexual conflict (misalignment of mother/sire interests) over sex allocation among offspring. My most recent investigations have extended to the native sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis). I intend to further develop my studies of native species in the future.
Funding overview
2014-2016: Australian Research Council (Discovery Early Career Researcher Award; Fellowship/project funding; $393 000)
2014: UWA Research Collaboration Award ($17 000)
2010-2012: Australian Research Council (Postdoctoral Fellowship and Discovery Project; $390 000)
2009/2011: UWA Research Development Award ($30 000)
2010/2013: Fortescue Metals Group Pty. Ltd. Research Contribution ($50 000)
2010: Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Research Grant (£5 000)
2014: UWA Research Collaboration Award ($17 000)
2010-2012: Australian Research Council (Postdoctoral Fellowship and Discovery Project; $390 000)
2009/2011: UWA Research Development Award ($30 000)
2010/2013: Fortescue Metals Group Pty. Ltd. Research Contribution ($50 000)
2010: Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour Research Grant (£5 000)
Previous positions
2013 UWA Postdoctoral Researcher
2010-2012 Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow (UWA)
2009 Centre for Evolutionary Biology (UWA) Postdoctoral Researcher
2010-2012 Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow (UWA)
2009 Centre for Evolutionary Biology (UWA) Postdoctoral Researcher
Current projects
1. Sperm competition and adaptive sex allocation (collaborator: Dr Paco Garcia-Gonzalez, Donaña Biological Station, Sevilla, Spain)
2. In vitro sperm competition and sperm selection in house mice (collaborator: Prof Leigh Simmons, University of Western Australia)
3. Polyandry and a selfish genetic element in house mice (collaborator: Dr Anna Lindholm, University of Zurich, Switzerland)
4. Mating systems and ovulation mode among mammals (collaborator: Dr Ines Klemme, University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
5. Mating systems and gene expression in house mice (collaborator: A/Prof Matt Dean, University of Southern California, USA)
2. In vitro sperm competition and sperm selection in house mice (collaborator: Prof Leigh Simmons, University of Western Australia)
3. Polyandry and a selfish genetic element in house mice (collaborator: Dr Anna Lindholm, University of Zurich, Switzerland)
4. Mating systems and ovulation mode among mammals (collaborator: Dr Ines Klemme, University of Jyväskylä, Finland)
5. Mating systems and gene expression in house mice (collaborator: A/Prof Matt Dean, University of Southern California, USA)
Teaching overview
2011-2013 Experimental Biology 4404 (Supervisor for research component)
Research
The evolutionary implications of sperm competition in mammals
Research expertise keywords
- Postcopulatory sexual selection
- Sperm competition
- Selective fertilisation
- Adaptive sex allocation
- Mammals
- House mice
- Native rodents
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Evolutionary, proteomic, and experimental investigations suggest the extracellular matrix of cumulus cells mediates fertilization outcomes†
Keeble, S., Firman, R. C., Sarver, B. A. J., Clark, N. L., Simmons, L. W. & Dean, M. D., 1 Oct 2021, In: Biology of Reproduction. 105, 4, p. 1043-1055 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
The effect of baculum shape and mating behavior on mating-induced prolactin release in female house mice
Andre, G., Firman, R. C. & Simmons, L. W., 2021, In: Behavioral Ecology. 32, 6, p. 1192-1201 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Baculum shape and paternity success in house mice: evidence for genital coevolution
André, G. I., Firman, R. C. & Simmons, L. W., 7 Dec 2020, In: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences. 375, 1813, 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access5 Citations (Scopus) -
Exposure to high male density causes maternal stress and female-biased sex ratios in a mammal
Firman, R. C., 13 May 2020, In: Proceedings. Biological sciences. 287, 1926, 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access7 Citations (Scopus) -
Extreme and Variable Climatic Conditions Drive the Evolution of Sociality in Australian Rodents
Firman, R. C., Rubenstein, D. R., Moran, J. M., Rowe, K. C. & Buzatto, B. A., 24 Feb 2020, In: Current Biology. 30, 4, p. 691-697.e3Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access14 Citations (Scopus)
Datasets
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Data from: A competitive environment influences sperm production, but not testes tissue composition, in house mice
Firman, R. (Creator), Garcia - Gonzalez, P. (Creator), Simmons, L. (Creator) & Igreja Andre, G. (Creator), DRYAD, 1 Aug 2018
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.tg386p7 , http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.tg386p7
Dataset
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Data from: Limited influence of landscape on the genetic structure of three small mammals in a heterogeneous arid environment
Levy, E. (Creator), Byrne, M. (Creator), Huey, J. (Creator), Hillyer, M. J. (Creator), Firman, R. (Creator) & Ottewell, K. (Creator), DRYAD, 15 Feb 2019
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.2ff8mv9, http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.2ff8mv9
Dataset
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Data from: Phenotypic plasticity in genitalia: baculum shape responds to sperm competition risk in house mice
André, G. I. (Creator), Firman, R. (Creator) & Simmons, L. (Creator), DRYAD, 20 Jun 2018
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.57v6627, http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.57v6627
Dataset
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Baculum shape and paternity success in house mice: evidence for genital coevolution
Igreja Andre, G. (Creator), Firman, R. (Creator) & Simmons, L. (Creator), DRYAD, 2 Nov 2020
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.9ghx3fff1, https://doi.org/10.5061%2Fdryad.9ghx3fff1
Dataset
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The effect of baculum shape and mating behaviour on mating-induced Prolactin release in female house mice
Igreja Andre, G. (Creator), Firman, R. (Creator) & Simmons, L. (Creator), DRYAD, 14 Jun 2021
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.z08kprr9k, https://doi.org/10.5061%2Fdryad.z08kprr9k
Dataset
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Behavioural resilience to climatic variability
Firman, R. & Rubenstein, D.
1/01/22 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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Music to her ears: attractive components of ultra-sonic vocalizations in male house mice
Firman, R. & Musolf, K.
1/01/16 → 31/12/16
Project: Research
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Captive breeding and assisted reproductive technologies in the western pebble-mound mouse
Firman, R. & Fisher, D.
1/01/15 → 31/12/15
Project: Research
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Adaptive sex allocation in a polyandrous mammal.
Firman, R. & Garcia-Gonzalez, F.
1/01/14 → 31/12/14
Project: Research
Courses
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ANIM3353 Wildlife Conservation & Management
Mandy Ridley & Renee Firman 27/07/20 → 24/11/20
Course