Prof. Dr. Sandra Steiger: Publications
Peer reviewed
2024
Lang, S., Conrad, T., Steiger, S., Stökl, J.: Analysing the information content of the multimodal courtship display of a parasitoid wasp. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, blae069 (2024).
doi:10.1093/biolinnean/blae069
Conrad, T., Mair, M., Müller, J., Richter, P., Schödel, S., Wezstein, A., Steiger, S.: The impact of acoustic signalling on offspring performance varies among three biparentally caring species. Animal Behaviour, 217, 13-20 (2024).
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.08.014
Potticary, A., Belk, M., Creighton, J., Ito, M., Kilner, R., Komdeur, J., Royle, N., Rubenstein, D., Schrader, M., Shen, S., Sikes, D., Smiseth, P., Smith, R., Steiger, S., Trumbo, S., Moore, A.: Revisiting the ecology and evolution of burying beetle behavior (Staphylinidae: Silphinae). Ecology and Evolution, 14(8), e70175 (2024).
doi:10.1002/ece3.70175
Sahm, J., Brobeil, B., Grubmüller, E., Conrad, T., Schott, M., Stökl, J., Steiger, S.: The scent of offspring: chemical profiles of larvae change during development and affect parental behavior in a burying beetle. Behavioral Ecology, 35(5), arae061 (2024).
doi:10.1093/beheco/arae061
Conrad, T., Roberts, L., Steiger, S., Ringlein, M.: Vibrations from the crypt : Investigating the possibility of vibrational communication in burying beetles. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 172(12), 1154-1165 (2024).
doi:10.1111/eea.13519
2023
Sahm, J., Conrad, T., Scheu, L., Steiger, S.: Brood size, food availability, and body size affects male care decisions and offspring performance. Ecology and Evolution, 13(6), e10183 (2023).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00007603
Keppner, E., Laubenthal, M., Prang, M., Conrad, T., Steiger, S.: Harsh nutritional environment has positive and negative consequences for family living in a burying beetle. Ecology and Evolution, 13(1), e9699 (2023).
doi:10.1002/ece3.9699
Körner, M., Steiger, S., Shukla, S.: Microbial management as a driver of parental care and family aggregations in carrion feeding insects. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11 (2023).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00007555
2022
Prang, M., Zywucki, L., Körner, M., Steiger, S.: Differences in sibling cooperation in presence and absence of parental care in a genus with interspecific variation in offspring dependence. Evolution, 76(2), 320-331 (2022).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00006101
Sahm, J., Prang, M., Steiger, S.: Parent–offspring conflict and its outcome under uni-and biparental care. Scientific Reports, 12, 1999 (2022).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00006632
2020
Keppner, E., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: Contribution of males to brood care can compensate for their food consumption from a shared resource. Ecology and Evolution, 10(7), 3535-3543 (2020).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00005641
Chemnitz, J., von Hoermann, C., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: The Impact of Environmental Factors on the Efficacy of Chemical Communication in the Burying Beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Journal of Insect Science, 20(4), 3 (2020).
doi:10.15495/EPub_UBT_00005537
2019
Takata, M., Mitaka, Y., Steiger, S., Mori, N.: A Parental Volatile Pheromone Triggers Offspring Begging in a Burying Beetle. iScience, 19, 1260-1278 (2019).
doi:10.1016/j.isci.2019.06.041
Engel, K., Hwang, W., Steiger, S.: A pheromone that coordinates parental care is evolutionary conserved among burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus). Chemoecology, 29, 1-9 (2019).
doi:10.1007/s00049-018-0271-7
2018
Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Ruiz de la Torre, E., Eggert, A., Sakaluk, S., Steiger, S.: Divergent coevolutionary trajectories in parent–offspring interactions and discrimination against brood parasites revealed by interspecific cross-fostering. Royal Society Open Science, 5(6), No. 180189 (2018).
doi:10.1098/rsos.180189
Meunier, J., Steiger, S.: Editorial overview : Beyond eusocial insects : studying the other social insects to better understand social evolution. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 28, S. vi-viii (2018).
doi:10.1016/j.cois.2018.07.002
von Hoermann, C., Jauch, D., Kubotsch, C., Reichel-Jung, K., Steiger, S., Ayasse, M.: Effects of abiotic environmental factors and land use on the diversity of carrion-visiting silphid beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae): A large scale carrion study. PLoS One, 13(5), No. e0196839 (2018).
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196839
Shukla, S., Plata, C., Reichelt, M., Steiger, S., Heckel, D., Kaltenpoth, M., Vilcinskas, A., Vogel, H.: Microbiome-assisted carrion preservation aids larval development in a burying beetle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 115(44), 11274-11279 (2018).
doi:10.1073/pnas.1812808115
Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Prang, M., Trumbo, S., Vogel, H., Eggert, A., Sakaluk, S., Steiger, S.: Offspring dependence on parental care and the role of parental transfer of oral fluids in burying beetles. Frontiers in Zoology, 15, 33 (2018).
doi:10.1186/s12983-018-0278-5
Steiger, S., Stökl, J.: Pheromones Regulating Reproduction in Subsocial Beetles : Insights with References to Eusocial Insects. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 44(9), 785-795 (2018).
doi:10.1007/s10886-018-0982-9
Nehring, V., Steiger, S.: Sociality and communicative complexity : Insights from the other insect societies. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 28, 19-25 (2018).
doi:10.1016/j.cois.2018.04.002
Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Eggert, A., Vogel, H., Sakaluk, S., Steiger, S.: Species divergence in offspring begging and parental provisioning is linked to nutritional dependency. Behavioral Ecology, 29(1), 42-50 (2018).
doi:10.1093/beheco/arx117
Chemnitz, J., Fujan, I., Winkelmann, C., Steiger, S.: Why are males more attractive after brood care? : Proximate causes of enhanced sex pheromone emission in a burying beetle. Physiological Entomology, 43(2), 120-128 (2018).
doi:10.1111/phen.12236
2017
Luzar, A., Schweizer, R., Sakaluk, S., Steiger, S.: Access to a carcass, but not mating opportunities, influences paternal care in burying beetles. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71, No. 7 (2017).
doi:10.1007/s00265-016-2232-x
Keppner, E., Prang, M., Engel, K., Ayasse, M., Stökl, J., Steiger, S.: Beyond cuticular hydrocarbons : chemically mediated mate recognition in the subsocial burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 43(1), 84-93 (2017).
doi:10.1007/s10886-016-0806-8
Vogel, H., Shukla, S., Engl, T., Weiss, B., Fischer, R., Steiger, S., Heckel, D., Kaltenpoth, M., Vilcinskas, A.: The digestive and defensive basis of carcass utilization by the burying beetle and its microbiota. Nature Communications, 8, No. 15186 (2017).
doi:10.1038/ncomms15186
Steiger, S.: The evolution of parental care in burying beetles and its implication for insect biotechnology. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 72(9/10), No. e14 (2017).
doi:10.1515/znc-2017-0139
Stökl, J., Steiger, S.: Evolutionary origin of insect pheromones. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 24, 36-42 (2017).
doi:10.1016/j.cois.2017.09.004
Pascual, J., von Hoermann, C., Rottler-Hoermann, A., Nevo, O., Geppert, A., Sikorski, J., Huber, K., Steiger, S., Ayasse, M., Overmann, J.: Function of bacterial community dynamics in the formation of cadaveric semiochemicals during in situ carcass decomposition. Environmental Microbiology, 19(8), 3310-3322 (2017).
doi:10.1111/1462-2920.13828
Steiger, S., Stökl, J.: Pheromones involved in insect parental care and family life. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 24, 89-95 (2017).
doi:10.1016/j.cois.2017.09.006
Chemnitz, J., Bagrii, N., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: Staying with the young enhances the fathers' attractiveness in burying beetles. Evolution, 71(4), 985-994 (2017).
doi:10.1111/evo.13194
Chemnitz, J., Bagrii, N., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: Variation in sex pheromone emission does not reflect immunocompetence but affects attractiveness of male burying beetles : a combination of laboratory and field experiments. The Science of Nature, 104, 53 (2017).
doi:10.1007/s00114-017-1473-5
2016
Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Keppner, E., Vogel, H., Ayasse, M., Eggert, A., Sakaluk, S., Steiger, S.: From facultative to obligatory parental care : Interspecific variation in offspring dependency on post-hatching care in burying beetles. Scientific Reports, 6, 29323 (2016).
doi:10.1038/srep29323
Engel, K., Stökl, J., Schweizer, R., Vogel, H., Ayasse, M., Ruther, J., Steiger, S.: A hormone-related female anti-aphrodisiac signals temporary infertility and causes sexual abstinence to synchronize parental care. Nature Communications, 7, No. 11035 (2016).
doi:10.1038/ncomms11035
Jacobs, C., Steiger, S., Heckel, D., Wielsch, N., Vilcinskas, A., Vogel, H.: Sex, offspring and carcass determine antimicrobial peptide expression in the burying beetle. Scientific Reports, 6, 25409 (2016).
doi:10.1038/srep25409
2015
Engel, K., Männer, L., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: Acceptance threshold theory can explain occurrence of homosexual behaviour. Biology Letters, 11(1), 20140603 (2015).
doi:10.1098/rsbl.2014.0603
Chemnitz, J., Jentschke, P., Ayasse, M., Steiger, S.: Beyond species recognition : somatic state affects long-distance sex pheromone communication. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 282(1812), No. 20150832 (2015).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.0832
Steiger, S., Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Gershman, S., Weddle, C., Rapkin, J., Sakaluk, S., Hunt, J.: Female choice for male cuticular hydrocarbon profile in decorated crickets is not based on similarity to their own profile. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 28(12), 2175-2186 (2015).
doi:10.1111/jeb.12740
Sperling, S., Kühbandner, S., Engel, K., Steiger, S., Stökl, J., Ruther, J.: Size Exclusion High Performance Liquid Chromatography : Re-Discovery of a Rapid and Versatile Method for Clean-Up and Fractionation in Chemical Ecology. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 41(6), 574-583 (2015).
doi:10.1007/s10886-015-0584-8
2014
Haberer, W., Steiger, S., Müller, J.: Dynamic changes in volatile emissions of breeding burying beetles. Physiological Entomology, 39(2), 153-164 (2014).
doi:10.1111/phen.12059
Steiger, S., Stökl, J.: The role of sexual selection in the evolution of chemical signals in insects. Insects, 5(2), 423-438 (2014).
doi:10.3390/insects5020423
Capodeanu-Nägler, A., Rapkin, J., Sakaluk, S., Hunt, J., Steiger, S.: Self-recognition in crickets via on-line processing. Current Biology, 24(23), R1117-R1118 (2014).
doi:10.1016/j.cub.2014.10.050
Kaltenpoth, M., Steiger, S.: Unearthing carrion beetles' microbiome : characterization of bacterial and fungal hindgut communities across the Silphidae. Molecular Ecology, 23(6), 1251-1267 (2014).
doi:10.1111/mec.12469
Engel, K., Hoermann, C., Eggert, A., Müller, J., Steiger, S.: When males stop having sex : adaptive insect mating tactics during parental care. Animal Behaviour, 90, 245-253 (2014).
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.02.006
2013
Steiger, S.: Bigger mothers are better mothers : Disentangling size-related prenatal and postnatal maternal effects. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1766), No. 20131225 (2013).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.1225
Weddle, C., Steiger, S., Hamaker, C., Ower, G., Mitchell, C., Sakaluk, S., Hunt, J.: Cuticular hydrocarbons as a basis for chemosensory self-referencing in crickets : a potentially universal mechanism facilitating polyandry in insects. Ecology Letters, 16(3), 346-353 (2013).
doi:10.1111/ele.12046
Ower, G., Judge, K., Steiger, S., Caron, K., Smith, R., Hunt, J., Sakaluk, S.: Multivariate sexual selection on male song structure in wild populations of sagebrush crickets, Cyphoderris strepitans (Orthoptera: Haglidae). Ecology and Evolution, 3(10), 3590-3603 (2013).
doi:10.1002/ece3.736
Steiger, S., Ower, G., Stökl, J., Mitchell, C., Hunt, J., Sakaluk, S.: Sexual selection on cuticular hydrocarbons of male sagebrush crickets in the wild. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1773), No. 20132353 (2013).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2353
Hoermann, C., Steiger, S., Müller, J., Ayasse, M.: Too Fresh Is Unattractive! : The Attraction of Newly Emerged Nicrophorus vespilloides Females to Odour Bouquets of Large Cadavers at Various Stages of Decomposition. PLoS One, 8(3), No. e58524 (2013).
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058524
2012
Steiger, S., Gershman, S., Pettinger, A., Eggert, A., Sakaluk, S.: Dominance status and sex influence nutritional state and immunity in burying beetles Nicrophorus orbicollis. Behavioral Ecology, 23(5), 1126-1132 (2012).
doi:10.1093/beheco/ars082
Steiger, S., Meier, T., Müller, J.: Fitness costs associated with chemical signaling. Communicative & Integrative Biology, 5(1), 57-60 (2012).
doi:10.4161/cib.17988
Steiger, S.: New Synthesis - Visual and Chemical Ornaments : What Researchers of Different Signal Modalities Can Learn from Each Other. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 38(1), 1 (2012).
doi:10.1007/s10886-012-0058-1
2011
Pettinger, A., Steiger, S., Müller, J., Sakaluk, S., Eggert, A.: Dominance status and carcass availability affect the outcome of sperm competition in burying beetles. Behavioral Ecology, 22(5), 1079-1087 (2011).
doi:10.1093/beheco/arr093
Steiger, S., Schmitt, T., Schaefer, H.: The origin and dynamic evolution of chemical information transfer. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 278(1708), 970-979 (2011).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2285
Steiger, S., Gershman, S., Pettinger, A., Eggert, A., Sakaluk, S.: Sex differences in immunity and rapid upregulation of immune defence during parental care in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis. Functional Ecology, 25(6), 1368-1378 (2011).
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01895.x
Steiger, S., Haberer, W., Müller, J.: Social environment determines degree of chemical signalling. Biology Letters, 7(6), 822-824 (2011).
doi:10.1098/rsbl.2011.0457
2010
Haberer, W., Steiger, S., Müller, J.: (E)-Methylgeranate, a chemical signal of juvenile hormone titre and its role in the partner recognition system of burying beetles. Animal Behaviour, 79(1), 17-24 (2010).
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.09.019
Steiger, S., Müller, J.: From class-specific to individual discrimination : acceptance threshold changes with risk in the partner recognition system of the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Animal Behaviour, 80(4), 607-613 (2010).
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.06.018
2009
Steiger, S., Whitlow, S., Peschke, K., Müller, J.: Surface Chemicals Inform about Sex and Breeding Status in the Biparental Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Ethology, 115(2), 178-185 (2009).
doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01600.x
2008
Smiseth, P., Hwang, W., Steiger, S., Müller, J.: Adaptive consequences and heritable basis of asynchronous hatching in Nicrophorus vespilloides. Oikos, 117(6), 899-907 (2008).
doi:10.1111/j.0030-1299.2008.16473.x
Steiger, S., Franz, R., Eggert, A., Müller, J.: The Coolidge effect, individual recognition and selection for distinctive cuticular signatures in a burying beetle. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 275(1645), 1831-1838 (2008).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.0375
Steiger, S., Peschke, K., Müller, J.: Correlated changes in breeding status and polyunsaturated cuticular hydrocarbons : the chemical basis of nestmate recognition in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 62(7), 1053-1060 (2008).
doi:10.1007/s00265-007-0532-x
Steiger, S., Müller, J.: "True" and "untrue" individual recognition : suggestion of a less restrictive definition. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 23(7), 355 (2008).
doi:10.1016/j.tree.2008.01.014
2007
Steiger, S., Richter, K., Müller, J., Eggert, A.: Maternal nutritional condition and genetic differentiation affect brood size and offspring body size in Nicrophorus. Zoology, 110(5), 360-368 (2007).
doi:10.1016/j.zool.2007.06.001
Steiger, S., Peschke, K., Francke, W., Müller, J.: The smell of parents : breeding status influences cuticular hydrocarbon pattern in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1622), 2211-2220 (2007).
doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0656
Books and Book sections
2015
Steiger, S.: Recognition and Family Life : Recognition Mechanisms in the Biparental Burying Beetle. In: Laura Aquiloni, Elena Tricarico (eds.): Social Recognition in Invertebrates. - Cham : Springer, 2015. - 249-266.
doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17599-7_12
Other publications
2008
Steiger, S.: Recognition cues in the biparental burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides: Chemical analyses and behavioural investigations. - Bayreuth: 2008.
(Thesis, 2008, Universität Freiburg (Breisgau); Fakultät für Biologie)