Research Interests:

With great passions and interests in wild animal ecology, I have been studying on animal ecology - particularly on behavioral ecology - since 2010. I am keen on learning advanced technology such as social network analysis, big-data management and genomic methods, and use them to help my research on interesting topics. These topics are ornithology ecology, mate choice under the context of sexual selection and the genetic architecture and evolution of key life-history traits, etc. 1.Behavioural ecology in big-data with deep learning and next-generation sequencing With the state-of-the-art methods such as machine learning and next-generation sequencing, we carry out behavioural ecology studies under the framework of sexual selection theory arming for the mechanism of speciation and species conservation. 2.Quantitative genetics and evolution Our lab focuses on the key field of the animal evolution and genetics, regarding the evolution of complex traits as breakthrough. We arm to build the genetic architecture of some important phenotypes with the pedigree of a population. 3.Comparative studies of bird species Using comparative studies with ancestral and transition analysis, we undertake a large-scale analysis of the evolutionary and ecological correlates of key life-history traits in birds to infer its evolutionary history.

Awards and Honors:

Professional Activities:

Research Grants:

Selected Publications:

通讯作者（*） 1. Rao X, Wang D*, and Liang W*. Sexual differences in bite force are not related to testosterone level in the wild-derived red junglefowl. Current Zoology, 2025,71(1):33-39. 2. Liang X, Yang S, and Wang D*, et al. Characterization and distribution of de novo mutations in the zebra finch. Communications Biology, 2024, (7):1243. 3. Wang D*, Zhang W, Yang S, et al. Sex differences in avian parental care patterns vary across the breeding cycle. Nature Communications, 2023, (14):6980.  4. Wang D*, Forstmeier W, Farine D, et al. Machine learning reveals cryptic dialects that explain mate choice in a songbird. Nature Communications, 2022, (13):1630.    5. Guan X, Rao X, ..., Wang D*. The evolution of courtship displays in Galliformes. Avian Research, 2022, 13:100008.  6. Forstmeier W*, Wang D*, Martin K, et al. Fitness costs of female choosiness are low in a socially monogamous songbird. PLOS Biology, 2021, 19(11).  7. Wang D*, Forstmeier W, D’Amlio P, et al. Is female mate choice repeatable across males with nearly identical songs? Animal Behaviour, 2021, 181(137-149).  第一作者（#） 1. Wang, D, Abbott J, Brenninger F, et al. Female alternative reproductive tactics: diversity and drivers. Trends in ecology & evolution, 2024, 39(10):937-946.  2. Pan S#, Wang D#, Zhang X, et al. Smarter birds, smaller eggs, and less parental care time, Zoological Research, 2023, 44(1): 98-100.  3. Wang D, Liu X. Behavioral innovation promotes alien bird invasions. The Innovation, 2021, 2(4).  4. Wang D, Forstmeier W, Martin K, et al. 2020. The role of genetic constraints and social environment in explaining female extra-pair mating. Evolution,74(3): 544-558.  5. Wang D, Forstmeier W, Valcu M, et al. 2019. Scrutinizing assortative mating in birds. PLOS Biology, 17(2): e3000156.  6. Wang D, Forstmeier W, Ihle M, et al. 2018. Irreproducible text‐book ‘knowledge’: The effects of color bands on zebra finch fitness. Evolution, 72(4):961-976.  7. Wang D, Forstmeier W, and Kempenaers B. 2017. No mutual mate choice for quality in zebra finches: Time to question a widely held assumption. Evolution, 71:2661-2676.  8. Wang D, Kempenaers N, Kempenaers B, et al.. 2017. Male zebra finches have limited ability to identify high-fecundity females. Behavioral Ecology, 28(3):784-792.