*EASTBIO* The origins and consequences of animal "personalities"

Most animals show consistent behavioural differences among individuals that cannot be attributed to variation in state or environment, referred to as behavioural syndromes or animal ‘personalities’. These personalities (e.g. boldness or aggressiveness) are related to important health and life history traits (Sih, Bell, Johnson and Ziemba 2004), such as food intake and disease transmission. However, their causes and consequences are poorly understood (Bell 2007). For example, the impact of early health and environmental conditions on the development of these personalities is not clear. Furthermore, there is little understanding of whether individual personalities persist across developmental thresholds, aging, or changes in cognitive demands associated with maturation; metamorphosis (in species with complex life cycles; Wilson and Krause 2012); and parental care. This project will use amphibian model species to address some of these questions.

The physical and social environment during early life may determine personality development, such that behavioural adaptation in tadpoles may set adult responses to future environmental situations, regardless of whether early circumstances match their environment after metamorphosis. Amphibians represent the ideal system to examine the development and persistence of animal personalities, as they vary considerable in the environmental and social contexts in which they occur, both among species and within their life cycle. For example, the social contexts range from species with prolonged parental care (Oophaga pumilio and Mannophryne trinitatis) to no parental care with large numbers of competing siblings (Xenopus silurana and Rana temporaria). The degree of differences in transitions across metamorphosis also vary among these species.

This project will explore, using several amphibian species, whether parental care, sibling or conspecific competition, and food availability contributes to the development of ‘personalities’, whether these personalities persist across developmental thresholds, and, where relevant, whether they affect parental care decisions and provisioning.

Key research questions

i. Do early social and physical conditions determine the development of personalities?
ii. Does personality persist across metamorphosis?
iii. Does adult personality affect parental behaviour?


Research Training
A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. The project will train the student in conducting scientific behavioural assays and the use of digital behavioural observation recording software. The project will require advances statistical analysis, so the student will be trained in required statistical packages. The student will also be trained in the specific requirements for the husbandry of these amphibian species.