Sandra Steiger

Mixed signals: heat stress alters chemical profiles and increases same-sex sexual behaviour in an insect

This study shows heat stress increases same-sex sexual behavior in burying beetles by altering cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, suggesting a link between thermal stress and chemical communication disruption.

Multifaceted parental niche construction buffers microbial and competitive challenges and drives offspring dependence in burying beetles

This study shows that parental care in burying beetles modifies carcass environments to enhance larval survival and reduce competition, promoting offspring dependence on parental modifications.

Cross-fostering reveals that acoustic communication during parental care alleviates prenatal disadvantages in beetle offspring

This study shows that post-hatching acoustic communication in burying beetles compensates for prenatal disadvantages in larvae, highlighting its importance for growth.