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Formica Lab

Evolutionary Biology at Swarthmore College

Vince Face
Vince Formica

I am an associate professor of Evolutionary Biology at Swarthmore College.  My lab uses a combination of selection analysis, social network analysis, animal behavior, and mutli-level selection theory to understand how the social environment can shape and be shaped by the process of natural selection.

 

We study the charismatic forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) as a model system to understand how social behaviors evolve.  B. cornutus have sustained and recurring social interactions and are a classic example of sexual selection for male weaponry.

 

My students and I travel to Mountain Lake Biological Station each summer to conduct the field components of our research. 

How do beautifully complex social-behaviors evolve?

Our scientific discoveries become
important only when we
communicate them to others.

I am very fortunate to
work with so many
talented, brilliant, and
joyfully goofy people.

Vince Formica, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

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Swarthmore College
Department of Biology
500 College Ave
Swarthmore, PA 19081

(610) 328-8621

I live at Mountain Lake Biological Station during the summer. There is no cell reception so the best way to contact me from Mid-May to Mid-August is via email.

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