ACCE+ DLA programme: Social influences on fertility in group-living small mammals

Background

Social competition for limited resources among group-living animals can lead to inhibition of fertility or reproductive suppression, particularly in less competitive individuals that may experience heightened levels of stress. However, social relationships can also have beneficial fitness consequences, for example by buffering stress in competitive environments. This project will investigate the conditions under which social relationships inhibit or promote the fertility of low-ranking individuals in group-living small mammals, with consequences for understanding variation in reproductive skew within and across species. In addition to advancing fundamental understanding of social systems, this project has practical applications in the management of animal populations for conservation breeding, in collaboration with CASE partner Chester Zoo.

Objectives

To investigate how social relationships influence fertility under varying circumstances, the student will design experiments using wild house mice under carefully controlled naturalistic conditions. This approach will allow manipulation of key variables in the social environment (e.g. opportunities for dispersal, levels of within-group relatedness, age asymmetry, resource competition or social group size). Tests will quantify behavioural and physiological responses to contrasting conditions, to assess how changes in the social environment can impact fertility and reproductive skew of group-living mammals under changing environmental conditions. We will also work with CASE partner Chester Zoo, applying findings to assist with the design of conservation breeding programmes.

Examples of key questions to explore include:

·        How do changes to the social environment, for example resulting from delayed dispersal or changes in local relatedness, impact hormonal profiles and fertility of subjects?

·        How do social behaviours, such as the propensity to form social bonds, mediate impacts of social stress on hormonal profiles and fertility when environments change?

·        How should the social environments of captive animals be managed to promote their breeding success and genetic diversity?

This project offers training in a broad range of areas, including evolutionary theory underlying the evolution of social behaviour, the design and implementation of rigorous controlled behavioural assays, use of R for data manipulation and statistical analysis, social network analysis, population viability analysis, molecular semiochemistry, and analytical techniques for assaying physiological responses. You will join a productive research environment in the Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group at the University of Liverpool’s Leahurst Campus, with outstanding facilities for behavioural research (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/mbe/). As a Conservation Scholar at Chester Zoo (Conservation, Science and Education | Chester Zoo), you will be trained and mentored to deliver evidence-based knowledge that can be used directly in influencing and implementing conservation action. You will also gain access to networking events with peers and conservation professionals, and have opportunities to share your research through media and science outreach events. 

How to apply

Please see the ACCE website for all details of how to apply to the programme at each ACCE+ institution: https://accedtp.ac.uk/how-to-apply/. 

All applicants to ACCE+ must complete the ACCE+ personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a CV and the contact details of two referees.

Part-Time Study Options

All ACCE+ PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme. 

Project CASE Status

This project is a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-6 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations.