Maria Thaker
Papers
2
Total Citations
30
H-Index
2
About
Maria Thaker is a behavioral ecologist whose research explores the evolution and function of complex animal signals, particularly in lizards. Her work centers on how animals use multiple sensory channels—such as color and motion—to communicate with diverse audiences, including mates, rivals, and predators. In her highly cited 2017 study, "Flamboyant sexual signals: multiple messages for multiple receivers," Thaker demonstrated that elaborate displays can convey distinct information to different receivers simultaneously, a key insight into signal evolution. Her 2018 paper, "Lizards assess complex social signals by lateralizing colour but not motion detection," revealed that vertebrates process social signals in a lateralized manner, with color and motion information handled separately in the brain—a novel finding that bridges sensory ecology and neurobiology. Though early in her career, Thaker’s work has already garnered significant attention, with her top-cited paper accumulating 24 citations. Her research has been recognized for its innovative experimental designs and for challenging assumptions about how animals perceive and respond to complex social environments. Thaker’s contributions are shaping our understanding of communication networks and sensory processing in non-human animals.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Flamboyant sexual signals: multiple messages for multiple receivers24 citations · 2017
- 2