Potential PhD Studentship: Opportunity: Grey seal behaviour.
Project Title: Quantifying individual variation in fine scale time and energy trade-offs in breeding grey seals: How do differing behavioural types solve these trade-offs? Application Deadline: 9th January 2015 Supervisors: Dr Sean Twiss, Durham University ([email protected]) Dr. Patrick Pomeroy, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Univ. of St. Andrews ([email protected]) For further information please contact Dr Sean Twiss ([email protected]) Brief project description: Within the behavioural and evolutionary ecological literature there has been extensive recent interest in consistent individual differences (CIDs) in behaviour in non-human animal species. Where such differences cannot be accounted for by age or sex class differences, social status, or local social and environmental conditions, such individually specific patterns of behaviour (behavioural types) are indicative of individual personalities. The existence of CIDs in behaviour raises many fundamental questions about the evolutionary causes and ecological consequences of personalities. Whilst some argue that personalities may result from mechanistic constraints, there is growing evidence that they often represent individually differing adaptive solutions to complex physical and social environments controlled by frequency or state dependent mechanisms and life history trade-offs. There is now evidence of CIDs in a remarkable range of taxa, from molluscs to mammals, however, there remain a limited number of studies conducted in entirely natural contexts; the vast majority of studies are laboratory based, or expose individuals to experimental manipulations. There is a clear need to investigate how individual behavioural profiles respond to their environment at a fine spatial and temporal scale, and to what extent these behavioural profiles are controlled by intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms. Our previous studies have quantified behavioural types in wild breeding grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) largely on the basis of differences in maternal attentiveness and vigilance behaviours. However, these behaviours constitute a relatively small part of individuals’ overall time/activity budgets. This study will build on these findings by conducting a detailed study of individual time activity budgets. Rather than focusing solely on specific behaviours the studentship will investigate individual differences in time allocation strategies with a particular focus on whether individuals differ, and do so consistently, in the trade-offs they make within their time budgets. Furthermore, the project will aim to link time activity budgets derived from traditional behavioural observations with continuous activity records derived from the deployment of accelerometers on focal seals. The project will seek to (a) classify accelerometery data according to observed behaviours, and (b) extrapolate from accelerometery to measures of individual energetic expenditure to investigate individual variation in energetic trajectories during breeding. Ultimately, the project aims to apply understanding of energetics/activity from this study to a back catalogue of individual activity budget data, providing opportunity for a comparison across colonies and multiple years. The research will involve extensive field based behavioural observations of individually identified adult female grey seals at a remote island colony over 3 successive autumns. Potential candidates should be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct prolonged and isolated fieldwork in harsh conditions, while remaining dedicated and enthusiastic. Ability to work effectively and efficiently both independently and as part of a team is essential. In addition, candidates will require strong analytical skills, including experience of modern ecological and statistical modelling techniques. Experience with R and analysis of telemetry data is advantageous, but not essential. A UK driving licence (or equivalent) is also desirable, but not essential. Further candidate specifications are provided below under the funding notes. Further details of the project can be obtained from Dr. Twiss. References Halsey LG, Shepard ELC & Wilson RP (2011). Assessing the development and application of the accelerometry technique for estimating energy expenditure. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 158: 305–314. Twiss SD, Caudron A, Pomeroy PP, Thomas CJ & Mills JP (2000). Fine scale topographical influences on the breeding behaviour of female grey seals. Animal Behaviour 59: 327-338. Twiss SD, Culloch RM & Pomeroy PP (2011). An in-field experimental test of pinniped behavioral types. Marine Mammal Science E280–E294. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00523.x Twiss SD, Cairns C, Culloch RM, Richards SA, Pomeroy PP (2012). Behavioural variation in female grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) reproductive performance correlates to proactive-reactive behavioural types. PLoS ONE 7(11): e49598. Funding and how to apply: PLEASE NOTE: This project is in competition with others for funding under the Durham Doctoral Fellowship scheme. Success will therefore depend on the quality of applications received, relative to those for competing projects. If you are interested in applying, in the first instance contact Dr Sean Twiss ([email protected]) with a CV and covering letter, detailing your reasons for applying for the project. Only the best applicants will be asked to submit an application. UK and Non-UK students are advised that to be considered for the Durham Doctoral Fellowship, the minimum requirements include an excellent undergraduate degree with either postgraduate or work experience in a relevant discipline and scientific publication(s) in peer reviewed journals. Candidates must have fulfilled the University's requirements regarding English language ability and must not require a pre-sessional course as a condition of their place. Further details on the Durham Doctoral Studentships can be found at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/science.faculty/postgraduatefunding/ The deadline is Friday 9th January 2015. END _________________________________ Dr. Sean Twiss, Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology, School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, South Road, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Web-site: https://www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences/about/schoolstaff/academicstaff/?id=1132 Blog: http://sealbehaviour.wordpress.com/ Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1350 (office) Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1247 (lab) Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1201 _________________________________
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