A5052313902- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Plant and animal studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Distributed Control Multi-Agent Systems
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
University of Exeter
2021-2024
Newcastle University
2024
Royal Holloway University of London
2019-2023
Swansea University
2021
Bird flocks under predation demonstrate complex patterns of collective escape. These may emerge by self-organization from local interactions among group-members. Computational models have been shown to be valuable for identifying what behavioral rules govern such individuals during motion. However, our knowledge escape is limited the lack quantitative data on bird in field. In present study, we analyze first GPS trajectories pigeons airborne attacked a robotic falcon order build...
Complex patterns of collective behaviour may emerge through self-organization, from local interactions among individuals in a group. To understand what behavioural rules underlie these patterns, computational models are often necessary. These have not yet been systematically studied for bird flocks under predation. Here, we study airborne homing pigeons attacked by robotic falcon, combining empirical data with species-specific model escape. By analysing GPS trajectories flocking individuals,...
For group-living animals to remain cohesive they must agree on where travel. Theoretical models predict shared group decisions should be favoured, and a number of empirical examples support this. However, the behavioural mechanisms that underpin decision-making are not fully understood. Groups may achieve consensus direction by active communication individual preferences (i.e. voting), or responding each other's orientation movement copying). example, African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer )...
War, in human and animal societies, can be extremely costly but also offer significant benefits to the victorious group. We might expect groups go into battle when potential of victory (
Birds which fly in coordinated cluster-flocks can benefit through the formation of group-level structures and patterns deter predators by visual confusion. Though unlike V-formation flight, cluster-flocking increases energetic cost particularly denser flocks. Cluster formations therefore provide a unique opportunity to investigate trade-offs between increased work rate (e.g. higher flap frequency) other benefits flocking. As part routine 9-km training flight release, flock six homing pigeons...
Dominance hierarchies confer benefits to group members by decreasing the incidences of physical conflict, but may result in certain lower ranked individuals consistently missing out on access resources. Here, we report a linear dominance hierarchy remaining stable over time closed population birds. We show that this stability can be disrupted, however, artificial mass loading birds typically comprise bottom 50% hierarchy. Mass causes these low-ranked immediately become more aggressive and...
Abstract A major goal in evolutionary biology is to elucidate common principles that drive human and other animal societies adopt either a warlike or peaceful nature. One proposed explanation for the variation aggression between democratic peace hypothesis. According this theory, autocracies are more than democracies because autocratic leaders can pursue fights private gain. However, decision-making processes not unique humans widely observed across diverse range of non-human societies. We...
Abstract In humans and other animal societies, groups engage in intergroup conflicts over resources. The success of these depends on individual contributions to collective fighting, yet individuals may have personal fitness incentives defect rather than fight, which could undermine group performance. Here we test the hypothesis that affect conflict wild banded mongooses ( Mungos mungo ). this species, fights are sometimes initiated by estrous females, who gain outgroup matings while their...
Remaining cohesive on the move can be beneficial for animal groups. As such, groups have evolved coordination mechanisms such as leadership to resolve navigational conflicts of interest. Consistent "leaders" may an intrinsic advantage over "followers" which compromise their preferred route retain cohesion, highlights question inter-individual variation (phenotype) that predict leadership. Studies in both birds and fish revealed intrinsically faster individuals lead movements, leading...
Predation is a powerful selective pressure and probably driver of why many animal species live in groups. One key explanation for the evolution sociality 'selfish herd' model, which describes how individuals who stay close to others effectively put neighbours between themselves predator survive incoming attacks. This model often illustrated with reference herds ungulates, schools fish or flocks birds. Yet nature, when strikes, are found fleeing cohesively same direction, not jostling...
The benefits of dominance are well known and numerous, including first access to resources such as food, mates nesting sites. Less studied the potential costs associated with being dominant. Here, movement two flocks domestic Homing Pigeons Columba livia – measured via accelerometry loggers was recorded over a period 2 weeks, during which birds were confined their lofts. Movement then used calculate each individual's daily overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA, G ), can be proxy for energy...
ABSTRACT Animals rely on movement to explore and exploit resources in their environment. While can provide energetic benefits, it also comes with costs. This study examines how group phenotypic composition influences individual speed energy expenditure during travel homing pigeons. We manipulated the of pigeon groups based body mass leadership rank. Our findings indicate that ‘leader’ phenotypes show faster speeds greater cohesion than ‘follower’ phenotype groups. Additionally, we homogenous...
Abstract Bird flocks under predation demonstrate complex patterns of collective escape. These may emerge by self-organization from simple interactions among group-members. Computational models have been shown to be valuable for identifying the behavioral rules that govern these individuals during motion. However, our knowledge such escape is limited lack quantitative data on bird in field. In present study, we analyze first dataset GPS trajectories pigeons airborne attacked a robotic falcon...
The benefits of dominance are well known and numerous, including first access to resources such as food, mates nesting sites. Less studied the potential costs associated with being dominant. Here, movement two flocks domestic homing pigeons ( Columba livia ) – measured via accelerometry loggers was recorded over a period weeks. Movement then used calculate each individual’s daily overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA, G ), which can be proxy for energy expenditure. hierarchy determined...
Abstract Animals are characterised, in part, by their use of voluntary movement, which is used to explore and exploit resources from surrounding environment. Movement can therefore benefit animals, but will cost them energetic reserves. Thus, adaptations for faster movements with negligible increases energy expenditure likely evolve via natural selection. Individual social-level mechanisms have been shown optimise this speed/energetic trade-off. Nevertheless, studies traits typically ignore...