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The enormous diversity of organisms in the natural world provides ample motivation for biologists to study the mechanisms producing and shaping such variety. My research revolves around embodied variation in selection by environmental heterogeneity shaping phenotypes in a macro- and microevolutionary context. I focus on the evolution and ecology of phenotypic diversification studying the interaction of individuals with their environment. My work examines multiple trait divergence and phenotypic plasticity in behaviour, morphology, physiology and life-history using larval dragonflies and daphnids as model organisms. I specifically ask how phenotypes alter and become adapted to modifications in predator composition, food availability and time constraints as well as how multivariate trait responses effectively function as an integrated response to environmental challenges and to increase fitness.

Published, peer reviewed

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, L. Ruesen, R. Mauersberger, F. Johansson & J. Rolff (2015). Relaxed selection results in reduced phenotypic integration in a suite of dragonflies. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 28, 1354-1363. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jeb.12658/abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, M. DeBlock & R. Stoks (2015). The interplay of adult and larval time constraints shape species differences in larval life history. Ecology in press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/14-0262.1

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, B. Wohlfahrt, G. Joop & A.P. Beckerman (2013). Sexual size dimorphism and the integration of phenotypically plastic traits. Ecological Entomology, 38, 418-428.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.12034/abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, M. De Block, J. Rolff, F. Johansson, A.P. Beckerman & R. Stoks (2010). Predator-driven trait diversification in an odonate genus: covariation in behavioral, morphological and physiological antipredator defense. Evolution, 64, 3327-3335. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2010.01078.x/abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, R. Stoks, J. Rolff & G. Joop (2008). Predators and cannibals modulate sex-specific plasticity in life history and immune traits. Functional Ecology, 22, 114-120. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01357.x/abstract

Wohlfahrt, B.*, D.J. Mikolajewski, G. Joop & S.M. Vamosi (2007). Ontogenetic changes in the association between antipredator responses and growth variables. Ecological Entomology, 32, 567-574.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2007.00902.x/abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, G. Joop & B. Wohlfahrt (2007). Coping with predators and food limitation: testing life history theory for sex-specific larval development. Oikos, 116, 642-649. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0030-1299.2007.15139.x/abstract

Joop, G.*, A. Gillen & D.J. Mikolajewski (2007). Colour polymorphism in female Coenagrion puella: differences in egg shape (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). International Journal of Odonatology, 10, 71-80. pdf

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, F. Johansson, B. Wohlfahrt & R. Stoks (2006). Invertebrate predation selects for the loss of a morphological antipredator trait. Evolution, 60, 1305-1310. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0014-3820.2006.tb01208.x/abstract

Wohlfahrt, B., D.J. Mikolajewski*, G. Joop & F. Suhling (2006). Are behavioural traits in prey sensitive to the risk imposed by predatory fish? Freshwater Biology, 51, 76-84. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01475.x/abstract

Brodin, T.*, D.J. Mikolajewski & F. Johansson (2006). Behavioural and life history effects of predator diet cues during ontogeny in damselfly larvae. Oecologia, 148, 162-169. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16421756

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, T. Brodin, F. Johansson & G. Joop (2005). Phenotypic plasticity in gender specific life-history: effects of food availability and predation. Oikos, 110, 91-100. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13766.x/abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.* & J. Rolff (2004). Benefits of morphological defence demonstrated by direct manipulation in larval dragonflies. Evolutionary Ecology Research, 6, 619-626. pdf

Mikolajewski, D.J.* & F. Johansson (2004). Morphological and behavioral defenses in dragonfly larvae: trait compensation and cospezialization. Behavioral Ecology, 15, 614-620.http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/4/614.abstract

Mikolajewski, D.J.*, F. Johansson & T. Brodin (2004). Condition-dependent behaviour among damselfly populations. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 82, 653-659. pdf  

Book Chapters

Johansson, F. & D.J. Mikolajewski (2008). Evolution of morphological defences. In Dragonflies & Damselflies: Model Organisms for Ecological and Evolutionary Research (ed.) A. Córdoba- Aguilar. Pp. 127-137, Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. pdf  

Other Publications

Schütte, C.*, G. Joop, D.J. Mikolajewski, E.C. Mosch, K. Schenk & B. Wohlfahrt (2005). Die FFH-Art Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) im Niedermoorgebiet “Großes Bruch” in Niedersachsen. Braunschweiger Naturkundliche Schriften, 7,345-354. pdf

Mikolajewski D.J.*, K.G. Leipelt, A. Conrad, S. Giere & J. Weyer (2004). Schneller als gedacht: einjährige Larvalentwicklung und slow life style bei Leucorrhinia caudalis (Odonata: Libellulidae). Libellula, 23, 161-171. pdf

Mikolajewski D.J.* (2001). Dornenausbildung bei Larven der Gattung Sympetrum (Odonata: Anisoptera): Induzierbarer Schutz gegen Fischprädation. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Görlitz, 73, 57-58.

Mikolajewski D.J.*, D. Miksche, K.G. Leipelt & F. Suhling (2000). Weibchenpolymorphismus, Geschlechterverhältnis und Größenunterschied in französischen Populationen von Boyeria irene (Odonata: Anisoptera). Libellula, 19, 1-15.

(*corresponding author)