Laura Beani

Biography

Master Data: born in Florence, 20/1/1955. Secondary studies : Classic maturity. Degree in Letters at the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy at the University of Florence on 15/6/1978 with 110 votes and praise. Degree in Biological Sciences at the Faculty of Physical and Natural Sciences of the University of Florence on 8/7/1987 with awards 110 and praise and special mention of the Commission, with an experimental thesis on "Male Breeding Strategies in Two Varieties of Wasps of genus Polistes ". Ph.D. in Animal Biology (Ethology) , obtained in 1992 with a thesis on "Sexual Selection in the Starna ( Perdix perdix ): Female Choice Criteria". Postgraduate scholarship :   in 1993-94 at the University of Turin , Department of Animal Biology (Prof.C.Giacoma) and Institute of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensics (Prof.GCPanzica), with a program on "Bioacustics and sexual selection "in anuras and galliforms, with particular reference to the neuro-anatomy of the voice system. Suitability of Professor second tier E02A (BIO / 05) - Zoology (02/04/2001, DR 984 of the University of Parma). Associate Professor (BIO / 05) at the Faculty of Psychology. Of the University of Florence, confirmed on 30/12/2007.

Research Interest

The thread of my research is sexual selection , the evolution of those characters that ensure reproductive success and contribute to gender differences, morphology (gonadal hormones) and reproductive behavior, from birds (galliforms) to insects (le wasp cartonsPolistes , a study model privileged by many zoologists, starting with pioneering research by Prof. Leo Pardi). Lastly, I have dealt with the theme of manipulating the pests' reproductive and social behavior by the host : the Polystes vesicles , if they are parasitized by Strepsitteri insects, do not reproduce or work for the colony but act as vehicles for the reproduction of the parasite (they become " Crazy wasps "). In this perspective of host-parasitic co-development, I have explored genetics (mtDNAs) and pest adaptations in terms of resource exploitation and host invasion strategies, on the one hand I described the chemical-visual signals and the immune defenses of parasitic wasps. At my humanistic-scientific training I have an interest in the disclosure and the comparative animal-man approach: sexuality, animal mind, pet-therapy , game and dream, topics also subject to conferences.