Life-History Tradeoffs & Placental Evolution in Mammals

Oct 1, 2025·
Meghan Forsythe
,
Cristiano Parmeggiani
,
Amy Boddy
· 1 min read
Evolution & Human Health — Boddy Lab.
Abstract
Research exploring evolutionary and functional diversity of mammalian placentas and their relationship to life history traits. Analysis of 648 species reveals evolutionary trade-offs between placental invasiveness and gestation, using a phylogenetically controlled, comparative dataset.
Type
Publication
CWESS Research Conference (Poster) | UCSB Boddy Lab | Manuscript in Preparation

About the Project

As a research assistant in Dr. Amy Boddy’s lab at UC Santa Barbara (Goleta, CA), I examine how placental morphology shapes mammalian reproductive strategies.

  • Curated a large dataset (648 species, 23 orders) on placental types and life history traits.
  • Developed and implemented MATLAB scripts for comparative analyses and visualization.
  • Uncovered evolutionary trade-offs linking placental invasiveness with gestation length.
  • Results reconcile previous conflicting findings, leveraging a broader, phylogenetically controlled dataset.

My Contribution

I assembled and organized the extensive placental trait dataset, then developed MATLAB programs to analyze and visualize links between placental morphology and reproductive strategy.

  • Demonstrated that less invasive placentas correlate with longer gestation lengths.
  • No support for predicted relationship between invasiveness and neonate size, offering nuanced evolutionary context.
  • Led data visualization and analysis efforts; actively co-authoring the lab’s forthcoming manuscript.

Publication & Presentation

We are drafting a manuscript:
Parmeggiani, C., Forsythe, M., Boddy, M., et al. (2025). Life-History Tradeoffs and Placental Evolution in Mammals: Maternal Investment Across the Tree of Life.
I presented a poster at the CWESS Research Conference and am further involved in the peer review process.

Media

Lab Collaboration — Zoom Meeting with Dr. Cristiano Parmeggiani
Lab meeting with Cristiano Parmeggiani

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Dr. Amy Boddy and Dr. Cristiano Parmeggiani for mentorship, and to the Boddy Lab for support and collaboration.

Placental Evolution Mammalian Biology Comparative Genomics Life History