Balázs Vági

Current focus

I am chiefly interested in the evolution of breeding systems, sex roles and parental care in vertebrates, predominantly the less-known ectotherm lineages (fish, amphibians and reptiles). Vertebrates are one of the most successful and dominant groups of the earth’s biosphere, and their success is inherently associated with their diversity in breeding behaviour. My aim is to track down the history and to reconstruct key evolutionary transitions and to identify drivers of this ever-increasing complexity, which is one of the most fascinating phenomenon of life.

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Previous Research and Other Interests

I started my research expertise with experimental investigations on European frog species. I studied the reproductive investment, reproductive success and mate choice in frogs, and how it changes under different social, community and abiotic environmental conditions. I also get involved in nature protection and biomonitoring of amphibians, and participated in a number of herpetological expeditions in the Balkans which helped to clarify the distribution and taxonomic status of the Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca) and improved the conservation of Balkan herps. I am a dedicated herp and fish keeper and breeder, and an enthusiastic cook. I enjoy travelling and taking photos in nature.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • 2011-2008: Environmental Biology PhD programme, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

  • 2002-2007: Diploma in Biology (Ecology, Evolution and Systematics), Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

  • 1996-2002: Radnóti Miklós Gyakorlóiskola, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

Appointments

  • 2023– Current: Post-doctoral researcher, HUN-REN–UD Reproductive Strategies Research Group, Hungary.

  • 2022– Current: Post-doctoral researcher, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Water Management Coordination Research Centre, University of Debrecen, Hungary.

  • 2016–2022: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Hungary

  • 2012–2014: Pre-doctoral researcher, Centre of Agricultural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungar

  • 2007–2011: PhD student, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

Selected Publications

Katona, G., Szabó, F., Végvári, Z., Liker, A., Freckleton, R.P., Vági, B. & Székely, T. (2023). Evolution of reproductive modes in sharks and rays. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 36:1630-1640. DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14231 📄

Vági, B. & Székely, T. (2023). Chapter 9: Diversity of reproductive strategies in the Amphibia. In: Moreno Rueda, G., Comas, M. (eds.) Evolutionary Ecology of Amphibians, CRC Press, pp. 158-174. DOI: 10.1201/9781003093312 📄

Pipoly, I., Duffy, R., Mészáros, G., Bókony, V., Vági, B., Székely, T. & Liker, A. (2023). Multiple paternity is related to adult sex ration and sex determination system in reptiles.  Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 36:935-944. DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14185 📄

Vági, B., Marsh, D., Katona, G., Végvári, Zs., Freckleton, R.P., Liker, A. & Székely, T. (2022). The evolution of parental care in salamanders. Scientific Reports, 12:16655. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20903-3 📄

Katona G., Vági, B., Végvári, Z., Liker, A., Freckleton, R.P., Bókony, V. & Székely, T. (2021). Are evolutionary transitions in sexual dimorphism related to sex determination in reptiles? Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 34:594-603. DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13774 📄

Vági, B., Végvári, Z., Liker, A., Freckleton, R.P. & Székely, T. (2020). Climate and mating systems as drivers of global diversity of parental care in frogs. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 29:1373-1386. DOI: 10.1111/geb.13113 📄

Vági, B., Végvári, Zs., Liker, A., Freckleton, R.P. & Székely, T. (2019). Parental care and the evolution of terrestriality in frogs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B – Biological Sciences, 286:20182737. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2737 📄

Végvári, Zs., Katona, G., Vági, B., Freckleton, R.P., Gaillard, J.-M., Székely, T. & Liker, A. (2018). Sex-biased breeding dispersal is predicted by social environment in birds. Ecology and Evolution, 8:6483-6491. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4095 📄

Szabolcs, M., Mizsei, E., Jablonsky, D., Vági, B., Mester, M., Végvári, Z. & Lengyel, S. (2017). Distribution and diversity of amphibians in Albania: new data and foundations of a comprehensive data base. Amphibia–Reptilia: 38:435-448. DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003126 📄

Vági, B. & Hettyey, A. (2016). Intraspecific and interspecific competition for mates: Rana temporaria males are effective satyrs of Rana dalmatina females. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology: 70:1477-1484. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2156-5 📄

Mizsei, E., Üveges, B., Vági, B., Szabolcs, M., Lengyel, S., Pfliegler, W.P., Nagy, Z.T. & Tóth, J.P. (2016). Discovery of new populations of one of the least known European snakes, Vipera ursinii graeca in Albania. Amphibia–Reptilia: 37:55-68. DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003031 📄

Hettyey, A., Vági, B., Kovács, T., Ujszegi, J., Katona, P., Szederkényi, M., Griggio, M. & Hoi, H. (2014). Reproductive interference between Rana dalmatina and R. temporaria affects reproductive success in natural populations. Oecologia: 176:457-464. DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3046-z 📄

Vági, B., Kovács, T., Bancilă, R., Hartel, T. & Anthony, B. P. (2013). A landscape-level study on the breeding site characteristics of ten amphibian species in Central Europe. Amphibia-Reptilia 34:63-73. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00002869 📄

Hettyey, A., Vági, B., Török, J. & Hoi, H. (2012). Allocation in reproduction is not tailored to the probable number of matings in common toad (Bufo bufo) males. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 66:201-208. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1267-2 📄

Kovács, T., Vági, B. & Török, J. (2010). Testing amphibian tunnels under motorways. Állattani Közlemények 95(2):207-222. (in Hungarian) 📄

Hettyey, A., Baksay, S., Vági, B. & Török, J. (2009). Counterstrategies by female frogs to sexual coercion by heterospecifics. Animal Behaviour 78:1365-1372. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.09.006 📄

Hettyey, A., Vági, B., Hévizi, G. & Török, J. (2009). Changes in sperm stores, ejaculate size, fertilization success, and sexual motivation over repeated matings in the common toad, Bufo bufo (Anura: Bufonidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 96:361-371. DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01126.x 📄