influence evolution?

 We study how animals acquire and use information, how this influences their fitness, and how it changes selection pressures experienced by others in their social environment.

Animals face endless ‘information problems’. They must decide where to go, what to eat or avoid, who to mate with, and where to reproduce. Information ecology provides a framework to study how individual decisions are influenced by the past and present. In our group, we aim to estimate and measure prior experience by tracking individuals or using genomic data to infer evolutionary history. We then consider how sampling information from personal experience (i.e. 'personal information') and by observing the actions of others ('social information') is used to update assessments and generate optimal behaviours. The ways in which individuals use information also has implications for others in their community - if they use social information, knowledge about local conditions comes from a wider network of individuals.  Or, if information is passed on with error, this could affect evolutionary outcomes for the 'third party' - the prey being eaten, or the brood parasite attempting to lay its egg.   

Coevolution & information use

We study how information use shapes outcomes of species interactions.

Geographic variation & range shifts

We study factors that influence the movement of individuals across their range.

Parental care & social interactions

We study how information flow shapes parental behaviour and decisions.

Social resilience & conservation

We study how social interactions affect adaptability to change.

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Website & blog maintained by Ece Acundatek & Gloria Murari - thanks!

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