Behavioural Ecology Group
Our group studies the causes and consequences of decisions animals make with a focus on social contexts. We provide education in Behavioural Ecology and Applied Animal Behaviour.
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Research domains
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Behavioural ecology
Our research in behavioural ecology focuses on understanding how individual animals and populations function and how selection acts on fitness, using a range of different behavioural and life history traits. Our main study organisms are birds and fish.
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Conservation biology
Our research in conservation biology encompasses several projects. Part of our work includes the use of animal conditioning interventions to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, which can provide valuable insights for policy and management decisions.
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Companion animal behaviour
We are interested in the question how personality traits of an individual pet affects its (not so) social behaviour and ability to perform specific tasks, and how the humans to whom a pet is attached play a role. The objective assessment of mental states (feelings) and the traits that govern behaviour is one of the major challenges in our ongoing work. Research results aid the understanding of how companion animals cope with man-made living conditions and how the latter may be optimized to improve companion animal welfare.
Education
Our education covers the whole field of animal behaviour. Our courses are directed towards both Biology and Animal Science students.
Latest publications
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Coercive mating has no impact on spatial learning, cognitive flexibility, and fecundity in female porthole livebearers (Poeciliopsis gracilis)
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Early-life diet composition affects phenotypic variation of correlated animal personality traits
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Evolutionary changes in cognition due to fisheries mortality?