A5031104929- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Marine animal studies overview
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Study of Mite Species
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- scientometrics and bibliometrics research
- Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
Lancaster University
2016-2025
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
2024
University of Lincoln
2012
University of Kentucky
2001
University of Cambridge
1994-1996
University of Leicester
1993-1995
University of Nottingham
1994
Variation in the extent of sexual dimorphism among bird species is traditionally attributed to differences social mating system. However, there are many different forms birds, and not all them show an obvious correlation with For example, recent work has shown that highly polygamous are, fact, monomorphic, whereas putatively monogamous dimorphic. In this paper we break up into subcomponents then use comparative analyses examine pattern covariation between these various aspects sexual,...
We outline and develop current theory on how inherent genetic conflicts of interest between the various family members can affect flow parental investment from parents to offspring, discuss problems for empirical testing that this generates. The pattern realized in nature reflects simultaneous resolution all players. This depends mechanism, mating system reproductive constraints, whether extra demand by progeny affects or future sibs, particularly behavioural mechanisms underlying (begging...
When glaciers retreat they expose barren substrates that become colonized by organisms, beginning the process of primary succession. Recent studies reveal heterotrophic microbial communities occur in newly exposed glacial before autotrophic succession begins. This raises questions about how function absence carbon inputs from autotrophs. We measured patterns soil organic matter development and changes community composition use along a 150-year chronosequence retreating glacier Austrian Alps....
Parental investment in reproduction is generally limited by the availability of food and so avian life-history research has focused on brood rearing phase, when requirements are greatest. Only relatively recently focus extended to incubation phase and, even more recently, nest-building where there now observational, comparative experimental evidence that nest building an energetically temporally expensive activity. This review emphasises construction we suggest such costs should be...
Abstract Aim The laying of eggs and the building a nest structure to accommodate them are two defining characteristics members class Aves. Nest structures vary considerably across avian taxa for many species completed can have important consequences both parents their offspring. While expected adaptively in response environmental conditions, large‐scale spatial variation has been largely overlooked. Here, we examine effects latitudinal spring temperatures on characteristics, including...
Recent studies are documenting the extent to which mass and construction of bird nests varies between individuals locations. In Blue Tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus) Great Parus major), temperatures experienced by females during nest inversely related mass. Moreover, Mainwaring et al. Journal Biogeography, 2012) showed that constructed at high latitude heavier better insulated than built conspecifics in south. Although mean spring temperature was used as a proxy for study, it remains untested...
When offspring compete for the attentions of provisioning parents, empirical and theoretical work has generally concluded that chicks honestly signal their “need” resources parents control allocation. Here, we develop models to show when allocation food is determined by competitive begging scrambles between sibs, offspring’s ESS levels, shares personal fitness gained will be an interaction abilities true needs. Many predictions this scramble competition model are qualitatively very similar...
Summary Maternal diet can significantly influence the quality and size of eggs, this may, in turn, fitness offspring. In study, we show how antioxidants (vitamin E compounds carotenoids) female zebra finches concentrations their eggs. Antioxidants are biochemicals derived from diet, which reduce damage to cell membranes caused by free radicals produced during normal metabolism growth. Females were given either a seed‐only or seed + rearing food prior egg laying. The was more enriched with...
Abstract Nest construction is taxonomically widespread, yet our understanding of adaptive intraspecific variation in nest design remains poor. characteristics are expected to vary adaptively response predictable spring temperatures over large spatial scales, such largely overlooked, particularly amongst open‐cup‐nesting birds. Here, we systematically examined the effects latitudinal and precipitation on morphology, volume, composition, insulatory properties Common Blackbirds’ Turdus merula...
The integration and synthesis of the data in different areas science is drastically slowed hindered by a lack standards networking programmes. Long-term studies individually marked animals are not an exception. These especially important as instrumental for understanding evolutionary ecological processes wild. Furthermore, their number global distribution provides unique opportunity to assess generality patterns address broad-scale issues (e.g. climate change). To solve enable new scale...
The phenology of many species shows strong sensitivity to climate change; however, with few large scale intra-specific studies it is unclear how such varies over a species' range. We document variation in phenological temperature using laying date information from 67 populations two co-familial European songbirds, the great tit (Parus major) and blue (Cyanistes caeruleus), covering part their breeding Populations inhabiting deciduous habitats showed stronger than those evergreen mixed...
From fiddler crabs to humans, animals perform repetitive displays showing neuromotor skill and vigour. Consistent repetition of identical notes (vocal consistency) facilitates the assessment skills is important in communication birds. Most birdsong research has focused on song diversity as a signal individual quality, which seems contradictory extremely common most species. Here we show that consistent within songs positively correlated with reproductive success male blue tits (Cyanistes...
Sex allocation theory predicts that parents should manipulate brood sex ratio in order to maximise the combined reproductive value of their progeny. Females mating with high quality males should, therefore, be expected produce ratios biased towards sons, as male offspring would receive a relatively greater advantage from inheritance father's characteristics than female siblings. Furthermore, it has been suggested chicks fathered through extrapair fertilizations also sons. Contrary these...
Abstract Our understanding of fundamental organismal biology has been disproportionately influenced by studies a relatively small number ‘model’ species extensively studied in captivity. Laboratory populations model are commonly subject to forms past and current selection that may affect experimental outcomes. Here, we examine these processes their outcomes one the most widely used vertebrate laboratory – zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ). This important is for research across broad range...
Nests are structures built to support and protect eggs and/or offspring from predators, parasites, adverse weather conditions. mainly constructed prior egg laying, meaning that parent birds must make decisions about nest site choice building behavior before the start of egg-laying. Parent should be selected choose sites build optimally sized nests, yet our current understanding clutch size-nest size relationships is limited small-scale studies performed over short time periods. Here, we...
Abstract The increase in size of human populations urban and agricultural areas has resulted considerable habitat conversion globally. Such anthropogenic have specific environmental characteristics, which influence the physiology, life history, population dynamics plants animals. For example, date bud burst is advanced compared to nearby natural areas. In some birds, breeding success determined by synchrony between timing peak food abundance. Pertinently, caterpillars are an important source...