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Matthew
Bruce, Postdoc Behavioural Biology Group
Social learning and innovation in guppies
and humans
I
am interested in social learning and innovation and their
consequences for the
behaviour and evolution of animals. In particular I am studying the
role of environmental uncertainty in the balance between the use of
personal and social information. Theory predicts that individuals
should rely more on individual learning in more uncertain environments
and on social information in intermediate environments. This is because
as the environment becomes more uncertain, social information may
become outdated and therefore less reliable. I am testing the
predictions of this theory using both fish (guppy) and human subjects.
This research is being conducted in collaboration with Simon Reader, Ulf
Tölch, Marius
Meeus. Have a look at some publications here.
Orb-web
spiders
Web
decorations are curious silk structures included in their webs by many
species of orb-web spider. May functions have been proposed for these
structures including thermoregulation, web stabilisation, prey capture
and defense against predators. Most recent studies have suggested that
decorations perform a visual function by either attracting prey or
protecting the spider. This work is ongoing in the the Behavioural
Ecology lab at Macquarie University. Have a look at list of publications here and read more about web
decorations here. I have a number of other
research interests including the phylogeny of
spiders in the genus Argiope and
spider mating systemsin orb-web spiders
(collaborating with Mike Kasumovic at
the University of New South Wales). Have a look at the publications here.
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News
New
articles in Biology Letters and Evolution and Human Behaviour now online.
Look here for seminars in the Behavioural Biology Group
Find me
Visiting
Address:
Kruyt
gebouw, Room O202,
Padualaan
8,
3584
CH,
Utrecht,
The
Netherlands
Map
Mail
Address:
P.O. Box 80.086,
3508 TB, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
Telephone:
+31
(0)30 2535416.
Fax:
+31 (0)30 2521105.
Email
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