E
Erica L. Westerman Data-verified
Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.
Federal Grant PI
Researcher
faculty
17 h-index
63 pubs
1,062 cited
Research Areas
Links
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Erica L. Westerman's research program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville investigates the evolutionary biology and genetics of butterflies, with a particular focus on visual systems, mate preference, and pigmentation. Her work employs a combination of genetic, developmental, and neural analyses to understand how these traits evolve and diversify within butterfly species.
Westerman has secured significant federal funding to support her research. She is the Principal Investigator (PI) on an NSF CAREER award totaling $1,353,503, focusing on the role of light environment and genetics in shaping visual and behavioral plasticity. She also serves as PI on another NSF grant for $771,071, investigating extracellular RNA in intercellular and interkingdom communication. Additionally, she is a Co-PI on an NSF REU SITE grant for $491,183, supporting ecosystem services research.
Her publication record includes studies on the evolution of oakleaf butterflies, the contribution of nocturnal pollinators to apple production, and the genetic underpinnings of butterfly mate preference and sensory gene expression. Westerman's scholarship metrics include an h-index of 17, with over 1,054 total citations across 63 publications. She actively collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, including Sushant Potdar, Matthew J. Murphy, Grace E. Hirzel, and Yi Ting Ter.
Metrics
- h-index: 17
- Publications: 63
- Citations: 1,062
Selected Publications
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Neurotranscriptomic signatures of natural variation in mate preference learning in two subspecies of <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> butterflies (2026)
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Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly (2025)
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Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2025)
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Divergent sensory transcriptomic profiles in positive and negative learning in Bicyclus Anynana butterflies (2025)
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Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies (2025)
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Introduction to Plant–Pollinator Interactions in a Changing Landscape: Embracing Integrative Approaches Across Scales (2025)
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The role of epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance in plant–pollinator interactions: A perspective (2025)
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Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Anthropocene: Why We Need a Systems Approach (2025)
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Every Hue Has Its Fan Club: Diverse Patterns of Color-Dependent Flower Visitation across Lepidoptera (2025)
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Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly (2024)
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Behavioural changes in aposematic Heliconius melpomene butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls (2024)
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Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population (2024)
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Asynchronous temporal variance in learning behaviour and neural gene expression in a butterfly (2024)
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Behavioural changes in aposematic <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls (2023)
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From kelp forests to cunner: The long-tendrilled impact of a 50-year career studying marine ecology in the Gulf of Maine (2023)
Federal Grants 3 $2,615,757 total
NSF
Co-PI
Mar 2024 - Feb 2027
NSF
PI
Mar 2023 - Feb 2028
CAREER: The Role of Light Environment and Genetics in Shaping Visual and Behavioral Plasticity
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
Sushant Potdar
Cornell University
7 shared publications
In database
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Anthropocene: Why We Need a Systems Approach
- The role of epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance in plant–pollinator interactions: A perspective
- Digest: Recurrence of sexually dimorphic neurological structure in neotropical butterflies <sup>*</sup>
- Behavioural changes in aposematic <i>Heliconius melpomene</i> butterflies in response to their predatory bird calls
Showing 5 of 7 shared publications
Matthew J. Murphy
Center for Grain and Animal Health Research
5 shared publications
In database
- Evolutionary history limits species' ability to match colour sensitivity to available habitat light
- Evolutionary history limits species’ ability to match color sensitivity to available habitat light
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
David A. Ernst
5 shared publications
- Stage- and sex-specific transcriptome analyses reveal distinctive sensory gene expression patterns in a butterfly
- A learning experience elicits sex‐dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
- Effect of experience on mating behaviour in male Heliconius melpomene butterflies
- A learning experience elicits sex-dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
- Additional file 2 of Stage- and sex-specific transcriptome analyses reveal distinctive sensory gene expression patterns in a butterfly
Nathan P. Buerkle
5 shared publications
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
- Genetic, developmental and neural changes underlying evolving butterfly mate preference
Grace E. Hirzel
North Dakota State University
4 shared publications
In database
- Synchronous seasonal plasticity in colouration, behaviour, and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population
- One size does not fit all: Family specific differences in seasonal patterns of abundance and behavior in butterfly communities
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- Synchronous seasonal plasticity in coloration, behaviour and visual gene expression in a wild butterfly population
Nicholas W. VanKuren
University of Chicago (US)
4 shared publications
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
Marcus R. Kronforst
University of Chicago (US)
4 shared publications
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
Stephanie E. Palmer
University of Chicago (US)
4 shared publications
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius cydno butterflies
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
Yi Ting Ter
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
4 shared publications
In database
- Divergent sensory transcriptomic profiles in positive and negative learning in Bicyclus Anynana butterflies
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Asynchronous temporal variance in learning behaviour and neural gene expression in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
Abbigail N. Merrill
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
3 shared publications
In database
- A learning experience elicits sex‐dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
- Engaging the Community in Pollinator Research: The Effect of Wing Pattern and Weather on Butterfly Behavior
- A learning experience elicits sex-dependent neurogenomic responses in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies
Neelendra K. Joshi
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
3 shared publications
In database
- Nocturnal Pollinators Significantly Contribute to Apple Production
- Female olfactory sensitivity is temporally asynchronous with male courtship in a butterfly
- Female Olfactory Sensitivity Is Temporally Asynchronous with Male Courtship in a Butterfly
Yubo Zhang
Center for Life Sciences (CN)
3 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
Dequn Teng
Peking University (CN)
3 shared publications
- The evolution and diversification of oakleaf butterflies
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- The Genetics and Evolution of Leaf Mimicry in Kallima Butterflies
Wei Lu
University of Chicago (US)
3 shared publications
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
Laura Southcott
University of Chicago (US)
3 shared publications
- A widely diverged locus involved in locomotor adaptation in <i>Heliconius</i> butterflies
- Genetic, developmental, and neural changes underlying the evolution of butterfly mate preference
- Genetic and peripheral visual system changes underlie evolving butterfly mate preference
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