Examining the behavioural mechanisms of pair coordination in long-lived, pelagic seabirds
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP
Abstract
Reproduction is costly, and consequently individuals are limited in the time and resources they can devote to breeding. Therefore, to maximise the number of surviving offspring produced over their reproductive lifespan, individuals must carefully balance their investment in current and future reproduction. In species that exhibit biparental care, the costs and investments associated with breeding are borne by two parents who are expected to share these in such a way that maximises the number of offspring produced, while minimising the costs to their own reproductive potential as well as, in the case of long-term monogamous species, that of their partner. Achieving this goal requires careful coordination between both members of the pair, empirical evidence for which is widespread. However, the exact mechanisms by which it is achieved remain largely unknown. As long-lived, monogamous seabirds, shearwaters are under especially strong selection to coordinate the division of these costs effectively in a highly unpredictable environment, and so represent a unique opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of joint decision making in a setting where the resolution of these trade-offs is of paramount importance. Biotelemetry is emerging as an incredibly powerful tool for understanding the ecology of animals. The ethoinformatic approach sees individuals fitted with miniaturised data loggers capable of recording a wealth of information, including location, acceleration, dive depth and salt water immersion. Through this project, I will make use of precision telemetry devices, including GPS trackers, geolocators and accelerometers, to elucidate the at-sea behaviour of shearwater species, and combine this with traditional fieldwork techniques and observational analyses to relate this to the decisions made by parents during reproduction. Through a comprehensive examination of how parents manage the fundamental problems of coordination in an extreme environment, this project should reveal the mechanisms underlying decision making and communication in a range of taxa.
BBSRC priority areas
This project will address several BBSRC research priorities. The primary questions asked in this study will explore the fundamentals of decision making and hence address a central aspect of animal behaviour. To collect the data necessary to answer these questions, a key aim of the project will be the refinement and development of miniaturised technology for remote at-sea observations, and this goal will be pursued with our collaborators at Swansea University. The enhancement of these technologies should reduce the impact of device attachment by increasing their informative power, hence refining experimental techniques, a key principle of the 3Rs. Finally, the use of a conservationally pertinent seabird species should facilitate the implementation of effective policies for species survival.
WUB, ENWW
BBSRC priority areas
This project will address several BBSRC research priorities. The primary questions asked in this study will explore the fundamentals of decision making and hence address a central aspect of animal behaviour. To collect the data necessary to answer these questions, a key aim of the project will be the refinement and development of miniaturised technology for remote at-sea observations, and this goal will be pursued with our collaborators at Swansea University. The enhancement of these technologies should reduce the impact of device attachment by increasing their informative power, hence refining experimental techniques, a key principle of the 3Rs. Finally, the use of a conservationally pertinent seabird species should facilitate the implementation of effective policies for species survival.
WUB, ENWW
Organisations
Publications
Gillies N
(2020)
Short-term behavioural impact contrasts with long-term fitness consequences of biologging in a long-lived seabird.
in Scientific reports
Gillies N
(2021)
Responses of Manx Shearwaters to Handicapping and Its Implications for the Coordination of Care
in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Gillies N
(2021)
Exploring the mechanisms of coordinated chick provisioning in the Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus
in Journal of Avian Biology
Gillies N
(2022)
Resource allocation underlies parental decision-making during incubation in the Manx Shearwater
in Ornithology
Gillies Natasha
(2021)
The mechanisms and consequences of parental coordination in Procellariiform seabirds
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011224/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1757784 | Studentship | BB/M011224/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2021 |
Description | Interview for national news |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed on my research as part of a short segment on BBC News highlighting some of the research conducted on my study species, the Manx shearwater, on Skomer Island, Wales. The clip was accompanied by a BBC News article on Manx shearwaters. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45088565 |
Description | University visit (University of Exeter) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | A group of University of Exeter undergraduates visited Skomer Island, my primary field site, as part of a field trip. During their visit, I delivered a 30 minute presentation on research techniques used by myself and my research group, as well as a brief discussion of our key results. Students had the opportunity to see some of our biologging devices, interact with our study birds, and ask questions. Many students were particularly engaged by this topic and stayed behind after the talk for further discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Workshop as part of European Researchers' Night (Curiosity Carnival, Oxford) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I prepared and ran a workshop at the Curiosity Carnival, in which participants were invited to learn about the methods used to study seabirds in the field, as well as some of the key results myself and my lab group have obtained through such methods. The event was open to members of the public,and included both families and adults. Participants seemed to enjoy the interactive elements of the workshop and most stayed for further questions and discussion following the activity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.ox.ac.uk/curiosity-carnival/about |