PhD Exit Seminar: Exploring the social structure of an obligate cooperatively breeding bird, the white-winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)

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Date/time
12 Apr 2019 4:30pm - 12 Apr 2019 5:00pm
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Speakers

Constanza Leon, Heinsohn Group, Fenner School
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Description

Group-living animals are affected by both the physical and social environment they inhabit, influencing population dynamic processes such as reproductive success, survival and dispersal patterns; all of which ultimately shape the evolution of a species.

During my PhD I examined the social structure of white-winged choughs (Corcorax melanorhamphos), a highly social species of Australian bird. Choughs are obligate cooperative breeders, meaning they must breed in groups to produce offspring successfully. I explored the influence of variable climatic conditions on the population genetics of choughs and the fitness consequences of varying levels of relatedness between group members. I used network analysis to investigate the social dynamics within cooperative groups including the patterns of associations among individuals according to life history traits (age, sex), relatedness, cooperative efforts and personality.

Location

Eucalyptus Seminar Room Rm S205, Level 2, RN Robertson Building (46)

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