University of Cambridge > Talks.cam > Behaviour, Ecology & Evolution Seminar Series > Constraints on adaptations during the evolution of mammalian social systems

Constraints on adaptations during the evolution of mammalian social systems

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Oskar Brattstrom.

While we consider social behaviour to be highly flexible, studies frequently show closely related species which share the same social system despite differing in ecology. Researchers performing quantitative species comparisons generally account for the statistical confounds of similarity due to shared ancestry, but have seldom attempted to explain why the social behaviour has remained the same.

In this talk I will argue that phylogenetic effects are in many instances a consequence of past adaptations within a lineage which constrain the form and direction of subsequent evolution. I will illustrate the importance of constraints by describing recent studies of the evolution of cooperative breeding and monogamy in mammals.

This talk is part of the Behaviour, Ecology & Evolution Seminar Series series.

Tell a friend about this talk:

This talk is included in these lists:

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.

 

© 2006-2024 Talks.cam, University of Cambridge. Contact Us | Help and Documentation | Privacy and Publicity