Website: http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/jack-thorley Contact: jbt27@cam.ac.uk Life history trade-offs in co-operative breeders Co-operative breeders are an interesting case study for life history theory, with the apparent load-lightening effects of helpers granting reproductive individuals high levels of fecundity across unusually long lives. Yet, the high reproductive success of a select few…
Website: http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/tejasvini-chalikonda Contact: c.tejasvini@gmail.com Causes and consequences of individual differences in foraging success An individual’s foraging behaviour is a major determinant of its growth, survival and reproductive success. The aim of my PhD research is to explore the extent and causes of individual differences in food choice, foraging…
Website: http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-constance-dubuc Contact: cd556@cam.ac.uk Intrasexual competition in meerkat females I am broadly interested in the evolution of breeding systems and reproductive strategies in animals. Before joining the Kalahari Meerkat Project, my research focused on understanding the consequence of the decreased strength of direct male-male competition for breeding opportunity…
Webite: http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/dominic-cram-1 Contact: dc593@cam.ac.uk Conflict and cooperation in meerkat societies: reproduction and ageing The meerkat social life is one of extremes. While living in close groups confers certain benefits, competition can also be intensified. Cooperation and conflict are important themes in meerkat societies, and I investigate both…