A5044939731- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Plant and animal studies
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Forest Management and Policy
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Religion, Ecology, and Ethics
Natural England
2015-2025
University of Cambridge
1993-2003
Stellenbosch University
2003
Like humans engaged in risky activities, group members of some animal societies take turns acting as sentinels. Explanations the evolution sentinel behavior have frequently relied on kin selection or reciprocal altruism, but recent models suggest that guarding may be an individual's optimal activity once its stomach is full if no other guard. This paper provides support for this last explanation by showing that, groups meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ), animals guard from safe sites, and...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a rapid, cost-effective, non-invasive biodiversity monitoring tool which utilises left behind in the environment by organisms for species detection. The method used as species-specific survey rare or invasive across broad range of ecosystems. Recently, eDNA and "metabarcoding" have been combined to describe whole communities rather than focusing on single target species. However, whether metabarcoding sensitive targeted approaches detection remains be...
1. In social mammals where group members cooperate to detect predators and raise young, of small groups commonly show higher mortality or lower breeding success than large ones. It is generally assumed that this because size allows individuals repel more effectively but other benefits may also be involved, including reduced costs raising young effective competition for resources with neighbouring groups. 2. To investigate the extent which predation rate affects survival, we compared rates in...
“Limited control” models of reproductive skew in cooperative societies suggest that the frequency breeding by subordinates is determined outcome power struggles with dominants. In contrast, “optimal skew” dominants have full control subordinate reproduction and allow to breed only when this serves retain subordinates' assistance rearing dominants' own litters. The results our 7-year field study meerkats, Suricata suricatta , support predictions limited provide no indication dominant females...
Monogamy is typically considered to have evolved either because biparental care important for offspring survival, or males are unable monopolize more than one female due females being too dispersed. Here, in the first phylogenetic analysis of evolution monogamy mammals, we show that neither these explanations consistent with distribution across mammal species. significantly often absence paternal its presence. Furthermore, does not normally occur species where ranges large. Rather, most...
Functional interpretations of helping behaviour suggest that it has evolved because helpers increase their direct or indirect fitness by helping. However, recent critiques have suggested may be an unselected extension normal parental behaviour, pointing to evidence all mature individuals commonly respond begging young (whether they are parents, relatives non-relatives) as well the lack cooperative activities appreciable costs helpers. Here we provide example one form is seldom performed...
Although breeding success is known to increase with group size in several cooperative mammals, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are uncertain. We show that wild groups of meerkats, Suricata suricatta , reductions ratio helpers pups depress daily weight gain and growth helpers. Increases associated heavier weights at independence 1 year age, as well improved foraging juveniles higher survival rates through first life. These results suggest effects on fitness extend beyond weaning...
In cooperative groups of suricates (Suricata suricatta), helpers both sexes assist breeding adults in defending and feeding pups, survival rises larger groups. Despite this, dominant females expel subordinate from the group latter half their (own) pregnancy apparently because adult sometimes kill pups. Some that have been expelled are allowed to rejoin soon after female's pups born subsequently rearing Female initially resist expulsion repeatedly attempt return natal group, indicating it is...
Evolutionary explanations of cooperative breeding based on kin selection have predicted that the individual contributions made by different helpers to rearing young should be correlated with their degree kinship litter or brood they are raising. In mongoose meerkat, Suricata suricatta, babysit pups at natal burrow for first month pup life and frequent babysitters suffer substantial weight losses over period babysitting. Large differences in exist between helpers, which age, sex but not...
Summary We examined the relative importance of maternal, environmental and social factors for post‐weaning pup growth survival in a co‐operatively breeding mammal, meerkat Suricata suricatta . Pup daily weight gain was primarily influenced by number carers per those carers. Rainfall temperatures had additional positive negative effects, respectively, on pups born to subordinates. overnight loss amount gained during day, their age. However, also lost considerably more when were cold, although...
In cooperatively breeding species, helpers and parents commonly face two decisions when they find a food item: first, whether to feed the item young group member or eat it themselves; second, which offspring feed. Little is known about factors that influence these in cooperative mammals, though optimal foraging theory provides basis for range of predictions. this article we describe pup feeding behavior by mongoose, meerkat (Suricata suricatta). When pups begin accompanying group, beg from...
When parents invest heavily in reproduction they commonly suffer significant energetic costs. Parents reduce the long-term fitness implications of these costs through increased foraging and reduced reproductive investment future. Similar behavioral modifications might be expected among helpers societies cooperative vertebrates, which helping is associated with By using multivariate analyses experiments, we show that meerkats, Suricata suricatta , substantial short-term growth but limited...
Humans require resilient, rapidly renewable and sustainable supplies of food many other plant-derived supplies. However, the combined effects climate change population growth compromise provision these particularly in respect to global security. Crop wild relatives (CWR) contain higher genetic diversity than crops harbour traits that can improve crop resilience yield through plant breeding. common with most countries, CWR are poorly conserved England. There is currently no for long-term...
Abstract Planning for nature conservation has increasingly emphasised the concepts of resilience and spatial networks. Although importance habitat networks individual species is clear, their significance long‐term ecological multi‐species strategies less established. Referencing network theory, we describe conceptual basis defining assessing a wildlife areas that supports species’ to multiple forms perturbations pressures. We explore actions could enhance at range scales, based on...
Little is known about the mating behaviour of monogamous mammals. Here, we present behavioural and genetic evidence fidelity in a socially dwarf antelope, Kirk's dik–dik. DNA microsatellite analysis revealed no extra–pair paternity (EPP) dik–diks: mothers' partners matched paternal genotype all 12 juveniles tested. One likely reason for absence EPP that males guard their mates closely during oestrus over–mark female scent, thereby reducing likelihood other attempting to mate. In addition,...
Evidence-based approaches are key for underpinning effective conservation practice, but major gaps in the evidence of effectiveness interventions limit their use. Conservation practitioners could make contributions to filling these often lack time, funding, or capacity do so properly. Many funders target delivery and can be reluctant fund primary research. We analysed literature testing interventions. Of a sample 1,265 publications published 2019 that tested interventions, 96% included...
We present the results of our 15th horizon scan novel issues that could influence biological conservation in future. From an initial list 96 issues, international panel scientists and practitioners identified 15 we consider important for societies worldwide to track potentially respond to. Issues are within or represent a substantial positive negative step-change with global regional extents. For example, new sources hydrogen fuel changes deep-sea currents may have profound impacts on marine...