A5071385294- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
University of Groningen
2021-2025
Macquarie University
2022-2024
University of Sheffield
2024
Imperial College London
2022
Although variation in effect sizes and predicted values among studies of similar phenomena is inevitable, such far exceeds what might be produced by sampling error alone. One possible explanation for results differences researchers the decisions they make regarding statistical analyses. A growing array has explored this analytical variability different fields found substantial despite analysts having same data research question. Many these have been social sciences, but one small "many...
Although variation in effect sizes and predicted values among studies of similar phenomena is inevitable, such far exceeds what might be produced by sampling error alone. One possible explanation for results differences researchers the decisions they make regarding statistical analyses. A growing array has explored this analytical variability different (mostly social science) fields, found substantial results, despite analysts having same data research question. We implemented an analogous...
Fitness is at the core of evolutionary theory, but it difficult to measure accurately. One way long-term fitness by calculating individual's reproductive value, which represents expected number allele copies an individual passes on distant future generations. However, this metric scarcely used because estimation value requires pedigree data, rarely available in wild populations where following individuals from birth death often impossible. Wild study systems therefore use short-term metrics...
Animal sociality, an individual's propensity to associate with others, has fitness consequences through mate choice, for example, directly, by increasing the pool of prospective partners, and indirectly increased survival, individuals benefit from both. Annually, are realized mating success subsequent fecundity. However, it remains unknown whether these translate lifetime fitness. Here, we quantified social associations their link annually over lifetime, using a multi-generational, genetic...
Abstract The interconnecting links between individuals in an animal social network are often defined by discrete, directed behaviours, but where these difficult to observe, a link (edge) may instead be sharing space at the same time, which can then used infer association. method associations should informed biological significance of edges, and therefore vary studies. Identifying appropriate measure association remains challenge behavioural ecologists. Here, we use automatically recorded...
Abstract The question of why females engage in extra-pair behaviors is long-standing evolutionary biology. One suggestion that these are maintained through pleiotropic effects on male (genes controlling reproduction shared between sexes, but only beneficial to one sex, this case, males). However, for evolve must be both heritable and positively genetically correlated sexes. Previous studies have suggested low heritability with no evidence between-sex genetic correlations reproduction. not...
Humans become more selective with whom they spend their time, and as a result, the social networks of older humans are smaller than those younger ones. In non-human animals, processes such competition opportunity can result in patterns declining sociality age. While there is support for age mammals, evidence from wild bird populations lacking. Here, we test whether declines wild, insular population, where know exact ages individuals. Using 6 years data, find that birds aged, degree...
The interconnecting links (edges) between individuals (nodes) in an animal social network are often defined by discrete, directed behaviours (interactions). However, where interactions difficult to observe, a edge is instead as sharing space or overlapping time (an association). Despite increasingly accessible toolkit assemble and analyse networks, defining associations remains challenge behavioural ecology. While different study systems have used ways validate the definition of association,...
Explaining variation in individual fitness is a key goal evolutionary biology. Recently, telomeres, repeating DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes, have gained attention as biomarker for body state, quality, and ageing. However, existing research has provided mixed evidence whether telomere length correlates with components, including survival reproductive output. Moreover, few studies examined how shortening wild populations. Here, we intensively monitored an insular population...
Abstract Explaining variation in individual fitness is a key goal evolutionary biology. Recently, telomeres, repeating DNA sequences capping chromosome ends, have gained attention as biomarker for body state, physiological costs, and senescence. Existing research has provided mixed evidence whether telomere length correlates with fitness, including survival reproductive output. Moreover, few studies examined how the rate of change wild populations. Here, we intensively monitored an insular...
Telomeres are a popular biomarker of senescence, as telomere dynamics linked with survival and lifespan. However, the evolutionary potential dynamics, selection pattern that gives rise to not well known. To better understand this, it is necessary quantify genetic variation in length, how such changes age. Here, we analysed longitudinal dataset (2,156 samples from 1,267 individuals across 15 years) wild, insular house sparrow (Passer domesticus) population complete life-history relatedness...
In the plant
Abstract Animal sociality, an individual’s propensity to associate with others, has fitness consequences through mate choice, for example, directly, by increasing the pool of prospective partners, and indirectly increased survival, individuals benefit from both. Annually, are realised mating success subsequent fecundity. However, it remains unknown whether these translate life-time fitness. Here, we quantified social associations their link annually over lifetime, using a multi-generational,...
Explaining variation in individual fitness is a key goal evolutionary biology. Recently, telomeres, repeating DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes, have gained attention as biomarker for body state, quality, and ageing. However, existing research has provided mixed evidence whether telomere length correlates with components, including survival reproductive output. Moreover, few studies examined how shortening wild populations. Here, we intensively monitored an insular population...
To survive, prey animals must correctly assess and respond to predation, by vigilantly scanning their environment for threats, assessing predation risk through gaze aversion (responding fearfully predator gaze), escaping efficiently. As these anti-predatory behaviours are integrated the nervous motor systems, they could be disrupted neurotoxic contaminants, such as lead (Pb), which is ubiquitous in Anthropocene. Here, we examined effects of Pb on free-living house sparrows (Passer...
Abstract Telomere length (TL) and/or its rate of change are popular biomarkers senescence, as telomere dynamics linked with survival and lifespan. However, the evolutionary potential has received mixed support in natural populations. To better understand how evolve, it is necessary to quantify genetic variation TL such changes age. Here, we analyzed 2,083 longitudinal samples from 1,225 individuals across 16 years, collected a wild, insular house sparrow (Passer domesticus) population...
Abstract Fitness is at the core of evolutionary theory, but it difficult to measure accurately. One way long-term fitness by calculating individual’s reproductive value, which represents expected number allele copies an individual passes on distant future generations. However, this metric scarcely used because estimation value requires pedigree data, rarely available in wild populations where following individuals from birth death often impossible. Wild study systems therefore use short-term...
In the plant-insect-insectivorous-bird system, changing climates can result in mis-timing bird reproduction, potentially impacting chick survival. To adapt to earlier prey emergence, birds make use of phenotypic plasticity, which be characterized by reaction norms. Despite gaining focus research, studies on avian reproductive norms as traits are scarce, particularly laying-date-budburst-date and clutch-size-laying-date Here we examined possibility evolution these two from a quantitative...
Abstract The question of why females engage in extra-pair behaviours is long-standing evolutionary biology. One suggestion that these behaviors are maintained through pleiotropic effects on male and lifetime reproductive success (genes controlling shared between sexes, but only beneficial to one, this case, males). However, for occur behaviour must be heritable positively genetically correlated sexes. Although previous studies have suggested low heritability with no evidence between-sex...