Research
I have general interests in understanding species diversification and adaptation to challenging environments.
My current work focuses on the evolution of assortative mating in a range of situations from allopatry to secondary contact with a special interest on what drives the evolution of intermediate levels of assortative mating in this range. I use mainly population genetics models.
I am also interested in the dynamics of adaptation of age-structured populations to changing environments. I especially investigate the feedback loop between these dynamics and demography. I build simulation models to understand the role of evolution in the change in species ranges due to climate change.
I previously worked on the evolution of aging in heterogeneous environments with quantitative genetics and adaptive dynamics models.
Education and professional positions
2014-2015: Post-doctoral researcher. Biology Department, UNC Chapel Hill, USA.
Maria Servedio Lab.
2014: Post-doctoral researcher. Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies,
University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Frederic Guillaume Lab.
2013: Ph.D. Evolution, Ecology & Genetic resources
University of Sciences of Montpellier 2 UM2, France.
Director: Ophelie Ronce.
2010: M.S. Evolution & Ecology
University of Sciences of Montpellier 2 UM2, France
2007 - 2009: Montpellier SUPAGRO, France
Publications
•Cotto, O. and Ronce, O. (2014), Maladaptation as a source of senescence in habitats variable in space and time. Evolution. doi: 10.1111/evo.12462
•Cotto, O., Kubisch, A., and Ronce, O. (2014), Optimal Life-History Strategy Differs between Philopatric and Dispersing Individuals in a Metapopulation. The American Naturalist, Vol. 183, No. 3, pp. 384-393
•Cotto, O., Olivieri, I. and Ronce, O. (2013), Optimal life-history schedule in a metapopulation with juvenile dispersal. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 26: 944–954. doi: 10.1111/jeb.12100
Keywords
Evolutionary biology, assortative mating, sexual selection, speciation, evolution in stage/age-structured populations, life history evolution, biodiversity, evolution of aging, metapopulation, eco-evolutionary dynamics, quantitative and population genetics, simulations.