The evolution of female genitalia

Genital evolution studies have largely focused on male genitalia. Ignoring female genital evolution is detrimental to our understanding of female-male genital interactions, mechanisms of selection driving genital evolution, and speciation generally. This thesis aims to provide important contributions toward increasing our understanding of female genital evolution, both at micro and macroevolutionary scales. I develop new methods for quantifying the shape of genitalia, and use both within species approach, using the “Marri Millipede”, Antichiropus variables Attems 1911, and between species approach, across 29 species of Antichiropus, to investigate female genital evolution, female-male genital coevolution, and potential evolutionary mechanisms.