|
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science (Hons), University of Queensland
PhD Candidate, UNSW
CURRENT RESEARCH
Relatedness, affiliations and social network in female bottlenose dolphins, Shark Bay
In most locations they have been studied, female bottlenose dolphins have been described as associating in 'bands' or 'cliques'. Associations between individual females are not as strong as those between adult males. Variation characterizes female- female associations; some females are rather solitary, some have a large number of relations, while others associate at moderate levels with a limited number of females. The broad aim is to assess the extent of the female social structure and to investigate the critical question to which the variation in female-female associations is influenced by relatedness.
Our approach is to examine three main aims: (1) female-female associations using dyadic association indices and social network analysis (2) the role of kinship in female patterns of association; and, (3) the relationships between female calving success, social bonds and kinship.
Previous Research:
- Molecular taxonomy and population genetic processes of the genus Sousa, hump-backed dolphins, honours project, Dr. Peter Hale, Queensland University.
- MtDNA and micorsatellite loci analysis of various delphinids, Research Assistant, Dr. Peter Hale, Queensland University.
- DNA fingerprinting of Sugar Cane project, Research Assistant, BSES limited.
My research interests are:
- To use molecular tools to investigate population genetic structure and phylogenetics.
- To investigate and describe social structure using tools such as social network and dyadic analysis.
- To use molecular and behavioral tools to investigate mating systems.
- To use genetic analysis to investigate the role that kinship plays in determining association patterns and social strategies.
SEE ALSO
|
|
