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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Sensitivity to immature skill deficits. Food sharing experiments in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Journal of Comparative Psychology:Epub ahead of print.
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Play Behavior Varies with Age, Sex, and Socioecological Context in Wild, Immature Orangutans (Pongo spp.). International Journal of Primatology, 45(4):739-773.
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Temporal evolution of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) on MRI following immunosuppressant treatment. Insights into Imaging, 15(1):140.
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Alternative reproductive tactics of unflanged and flanged male orangutans revisited. American Journal of Primatology, 85(9):e23535.
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Reconstructing the colonization history of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Northwestern Australia. Molecular Ecology, 32(14):3826-3841.
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Prospective Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Magnesium-Based Alloy Screw Resorption in Pediatric Fractures. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(8):3016.
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Looking out for each other: coordination and turn taking in common marmoset vigilance. Animal Behaviour, 196:183-199.
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Association patterns and community structure among female bottlenose dolphins: environmental, genetic and cultural factors. Mammalian Biology : Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 102(4):1373-1387.
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Radiographic features of magnesium-based bioabsorbable screw resorption in paediatric fractures. Pediatric Radiology, 52(12):2368-2376.
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The curious case of great ape curiosity and how it is shaped by sociality. Ethology, 128(8):552-563.
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To drum or not to drum: Selectivity in tree buttress drumming by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea. American Journal of Primatology, 84(7):e23382.
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Social integration influences fitness in allied male dolphins. Current Biology, 32(7):1664-1669.e3.
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The context of sexual coercion in orang-utans: when do male and female mating interests collide?. Animal Behaviour, 182:67-90.
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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.