Published in: Science Authors: Bonnet et al (there are 40!) Abstract: The rate of adaptive evolution, the contribution of selection to genetic changes that increase mean fitness, is determined by the additive genetic variance in individual relative fitness. To date, there are few robust estimates of this parameter for natural populations, and it is therefore […]
Published in: Molecular Ecology Authors: Laura Duntsch, Annabel Whibley, Patricia Brekke, John G. Ewen & Anna W. Santure Abstract: Inbreeding can lead to a loss of heterozygosity in a population and when combined with genetic drift may reduce the adaptive potential of a species. However, there is uncertainty about whether resequencing data can provide accurate […]
Published in: Molecular Ecology Resources Authors: Kate D. Lee, Craig D. Miller, Patricia Brekke, Annabel Whibley, John G. Ewen, Melanie Hingston, Amy Zhu, Anna W. Santure Abstract: Next-generation sequencing has transformed the fields of ecological and evolutionary genetics by allowing for cost-effective identification of genome-wide variation. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, or “SNP chipsâ€, enable very […]
Published in: Animal Conservation Authors: Mather, E., Fogell, D.J., McCready, M., McInnes, K. & Ewen, J.G. Abstract: Haematophagous parasites can negatively impact breeding success and their control is often the target of management for threatened bird species. Mitigating parasitism can be difficult and certainly should only be done if parasite control is possible and if […]
Published in: Animal Conservation Authors: Elizabeth H. Parlato, John G. Ewen, Mhairi McCready, Fiona Gordon, Kevin A. Parker & Doug P. Armstrong Abstract: The importance of accounting for temporal variation in vital rates when modelling population dynamics is well recognized. However, long-term (usually >5Â years) datasets are needed to estimate this variation. Consequently, models for newly […]
Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Authors: Victoria R. Franks, John G. Ewen, Mhairi McCready and Rose Thorogood Abstract Early independence from parents is a critical period where social information acquired vertically may become outdated, or conflict with new information. However, across natural populations, it is unclear if newly independent young […]
We are very happy to share that Caitlin has submitted her PHD. This is a truly global PHD effort with a focus on hihi dietary variation. It included field study on multiple hihi populations (Tiritiri Matangi, Rotokare, Bushy Park Tarapuruhi and Zealandia) and even some sites where we hope to see hihi in the future […]
Published in: Evolutionary Ecology Authors: Alexis Rutschmann, Pierre de Villemereuil, Patricia Brekke, John G. Ewen, Neil Anderson and Anna W. Santure Abstract: In heterogeneous habitats, individuals sharing a larger part of their home-range are also likely to live in a very similar environment. This ‘common environment’ effect can generate phenotypic similarities between neighbours and lead to the […]
Published in:Â Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Authors: Laura Duntsch, Barbara M. Tomotani, Pierre de Villemereuil, Patricia Brekke, Kate D. Lee, John G. Ewen and Anna W. Santure Abstract:Â To predict if a threatened species can adapt to changing selective pressures, it is crucial to understand the genetic basis of adaptive traits, especially […]
Published in: Animal Conservation Authors: Victoria R. Franks, Caitlin E. Andrews, John G. Ewen, Mhairi McCready, Kevin A. Parker and Rose Thorogood Abstract: Reintroductions, essential to many conservation programmes, disrupt both abiotic and social environments. Despite growing recognition that social connections in animals might alter survival (e.g. social transmission of foraging skills, or transmission of […]
Published in: Animal Behaviour Authors:Â Victoria R. Franks, John G. Ewen, Mhairi McCready, J. Marcus Rowcliffe, Donal Smith and Rose Thorogood Abstract: Animal sociality arises from the cumulative effects of both individual social decisions and environmental factors. While juveniles’ social interactions with parents prior to independence shape later life sociality, in most bird and mammal species […]
Published in:Â Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Authors: Kate M. Richardson, Elizabeth H. Parlato, Leila K. Walker, Kevin A. Parker, John G. Ewen and Doug P. Armstrong Abstract: There is growing recognition that variation in animal personality traits can influence survival and reproduction rates, and consequently may be important for wildlife […]