Michael Greenfield

Dr. Michael Greenfield is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas. His research focuses on animal communication and sexual selection, particularly investigating rhythmic synchronization in insect chorusing and its evolutionary implications. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1978.

Key research interests include the evolution of acoustic signals, predator-prey interactions, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying group coordination in species like bushcrickets and moths. His work bridges behavioral ecology, neurobiology, and evolutionary theory, often exploring how environmental and social contexts shape communication systems.

Recent studies highlight his contributions to understanding chorusing diversity in Mediterranean bushcrickets, the role of rhythmic entrainment in animal groups, and the interplay between sexual selection and ecological constraints. Collaborative projects involve genetic mapping of communication traits and molecular analyses of evolutionary adaptations.

Publications span over three decades, with recent emphases on cross-species rhythmic synchronization, spatial auditory processing in reptiles, and the genetic basis of mating signals. His work is widely cited in journals like Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and Behavioral Ecology.