Department of Zoology

Principal Investigators

Research area - Behavioural Ecology

Our research uses family life as a model system for investigating ageing and other life history strategies, animal communication, the resolution of social conflicts and co-evolution between brood parasites and their hosts. It involves experiments in the laboratory as well as fieldwork in Britain, USA, New Zealand and Australia. We work with birds and insects.

Research group - Behavioural Ecology Group

Selected publications

• Kilner, R. M. & Langmore, N. E. (2011) Cuckoos versus hosts in insects and birds: adaptations, counter-adaptations and outcomes. Biological Reviews doi: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.2010.00173.x
• Langmore, N. E., Stevens, M., Maurer, G., Heinsohn, R., Hall. M. L., Peters, A. & Kilner, R. M. (2011) Visual mimicry of host nestlings by cuckoos. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278:2455-2463
• Hinde, C. A., Johnstone, R. A & Kilner, R. M. (2010) Parent-offspring conflict and coadaptation. Science 327: 1373-1376
• Russell, A. F., Langmore, N. E., Cockburn, A., Astheimer, L. B. & Kilner, R. M. 2007 Reduced egg investment can conceal helper effects in cooperatively breeding birds. Science 317:941-944
• Hinde CA & Kilner RM 2007 Negotiations within the family over the supply of parental care. Proc R Soc B: 274:53-71
• Kilner RM 2005 The evolution of virulence in the brood parasites Orn Sci 55-64
• Kilner RM, Madden JR, Hauber ME 2004 Brood parasitic cowbirds use host young to procure food. Science 305: 877-879.
• Langmore NE, Hunt S, Kilner RM. 2003 Escalation of a coevolutionary arms race through host rejection of brood parasitic young. Nature 422 (6928): 157-160.