Thesis supervisor: László Zsolt Garamszegi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): TTK Biológiai Intézet Abbreviation of location of studies: Biol.
Description of the research topic:
It has been known for a while that not only humans but also animals have personality. However, its significance for evolutionary ecology has only been recognized recently. Animal personality, defined as the within-individual consistency of behaviours, is potentially driven by the same innate characteristics (i.e. temperament), and can have important implications for how animals adopt to their rapidly and unpredictably changing environment. Our team investigates the causes and consequences of consistent behavioural variations in a natural population of the collared flycatcher, a small passerine bird that breeds in the Pilis Mountains. By studying the hormonal and genetic background of behaviours, we aim at understanding the physiological constraints that can potentially mediate differences in personality between individuals. Another aspect of our researches focuses on the adaptive role of behavioural flexibility that often accompanies personality, as the same individual rarely displays exactly the same behaviour. Based on our long-term monitoring program we wish to get insights on the ecological relevance of between-individual distribution of behaviours that can be observed at the population level in each year, which can be interesting, for example, in the light of climate change. We seek highly motivated and hardworking students, who are enthusiastic to join to any of the above main research line. During the course of the project, the candidate can participate in the fieldwork, will have an opportunity to learn and perform sophisticated statistical analysis and write scientific papers.
Required language skills: angol Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): magyar Further requirements: kutatás iránti elkötelezettség
Number of students who can be accepted: 2
Deadline for application: 2014-11-27
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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