Table of contents
Research Interests
- Within-group cooperation and between-group conflict
- Animal movement ecology
- Geographical variation in primate socio-ecology
As behavioural biologist with a background in spatial ecology, I am interested in the way in which animals use their environment over space and time, and how this shapes their (social) behaviour. Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies I have, among others, looked into patterns of local space use, dispersal, bio- and phylo-geography, and geographical variation in orang-utan biology (from genes and ecology to culture). I also employ phylogenetic comparative methods, naturalistic observations and field-experiments to study cooperation and conflict in group-living, non-human primates in order to gain insights into the evolutionary origins of human warfare.
Research Projects
Inkawu Vervet Project (IVP)
The Orangutan Network
Development of R-library to analyse simultaneous movement data (with Dr. Kevin Buchin and Stef Sijben, MSc)
Teaching
BIO 209: Discovering Statistics using R (together with Dr. Karin Isler, spring term, 6 ECTS points) Students are made familiar with fundamental statistical concepts, taking a hands-on approach using the R software environment. The importance of (visually) exploring data and assumptions receives a lot of attention before basic statistical tests are introduced, such as comparing means, correlation (logistic), regression and GLM analyses. In addition, theory and application of phylogenetic comparative methods are taught as well.
Students are strongly encouraged to use their own laptops during the course. In case this is not possible, please contact me at least one month in advance to ensure that a sufficient number of machines can be reserved from the UZH IT services.
Purchase of the book “Discovering Statistics using R”, by Field, Miles & Field is mandatory.
Publications
Zurich Open Repository and Archive
ZORA Publication List
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Publications
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Trade-offs between vocal accommodation and individual recognisability in common marmoset vocalizations. Scientific Reports, 11:15683.
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Cooperative partner choice in multi-level male dolphin alliances. Scientific Reports, 11(1):6901.
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Monkey see, monkey feel? Marmoset reactions towards conspecifics' arousal. Royal Society Open Science, 8:211255.
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Do marmosets understand others’ conversations? A thermography approach. Science Advances, 7(6):eabc8790.
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The cost of associating with males for Bornean and Sumatran female orangutans: a hidden form of sexual conflict?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 75(1):6.
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Taxonomy and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (genus Tursiops) in Australian waters: an osteological clarification. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 98(7):461-479.
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Home range establishment and the mechanisms of philopatry among female Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) at Tuanan. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 74(4):42.
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Affiliation history and age similarity predict alliance formation in adult male bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Ecology, 31(2):361-370.
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Are dialects socially learned in marmoset monkeys? Evidence from translocation experiments. PLoS ONE, 14(10):e0222486.
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The slow ape: High infant survival and long interbirth intervals in wild orangutans. Journal of Human Evolution, 125:38-49.
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Male monkeys use punishment and coercion to de-escalate costly intergroup fights. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B: Biological Sciences, 285:20172323.
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Vocal accommodation in marmosets: Does similarity buffer tension during pair bond development?. In: Cuskley, Christine; Little, Hannah; Ravignani, Andrea; Flaherty, Molly; McCrohon, Luke; Verhoef, Tessa. The Evolution of Language, Proceedings of the 12 th International Conference on the Evolution of Language (Evolang12). Evolang Poland: Evolang 12 Organizing Committee, 551-553.
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Intra- and interindividual differences in the costs and benefits of intergroup aggression in female vervet monkeys. Animal Behaviour, 123:129-137.
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Curiosity boosts orang-utan problem-solving ability. Animal Behaviour, 134:57-70.
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The social organization of Homo ergaster: inferences from anti-predator responses in extant primates. Journal of Human Evolution, 109:11-21.
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Confrontational assessment in the roving male promiscuity mating system of the Bornean orangutan. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71(1):20.
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Orientation toward humans predicts cognitive performance in orang-utans. Scientific Reports, 7:40052.
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Female monkeys use both the carrot and the stick to promote male participation in intergroup fights. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B: Biological Sciences, 283(1843):online.
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Male food defence as a by-product of intersexual cooperation in a non-human primate. Scientific Reports, 6:35800.