Abstract:

Behaviour allows animals to respond to diverse challenges in nature. In this conversation, Prof. Roslyn Dakin will present two recent problems from my research on behaviour that illustrate the value of multilevel analysis in biology. The first problem focuses on maneuvering behaviour, or the ability to change speed and direction. Flying hummingbirds have far greater maneuverability than we can achieve technologically – but what traits endow some birds with greater aerial agility? Dakin will discuss how the evolution of diverse hummingbird species provides surprising insight into that question.

Next, Dakin will focus on a very different question of why social networks are sometimes stable (and sometimes not). For this, she studied another small bird, the wire-tailed manakin, in which the males cooperate in their search for mates. Using longitudinal data on manakin behaviour and social networks, she will show how trade-offs at the individual level govern the stability of entire social groups. Although these two studies cover different aspects of behaviour, they both illustrate how a multilevel approach can provide insight into the rules that govern biological systems.

For more information, please visit: https://science.carleton.ca/cu-events/roslyndakin/