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Department of Zoology

 
Read more at: Plants versus caterpillars: an arms race of physical defences
Ritabrata Chowdhury in scrub land in Brunei

Plants versus caterpillars: an arms race of physical defences

27 June 2025

PhD student, Ritabrata Chowdhury, Insect Biomechanics Group, is first author of a recent paper in Biology Letters which uncovers a previously unknown interaction between plants, ants, and caterpillars in the rainforests of Borneo: kind of arms race between plants and insects. Macaranga trees house colonies of aggressive...


Read more at: The Microscopy Bioscience Platform: at the frontier of scientific discovery
Cichlid embryo about two days after fertilisation, basic outlines of major structures like the brain and eyes are already visible photo by Dr Aleksandra Marconi

The Microscopy Bioscience Platform: at the frontier of scientific discovery

25 June 2025

The University of Cambridge’s new Microscopy Bioscience Platform is unifying microscope facilities here in Cambridge. These advanced microscope technologies offer researchers essential tools to expand the frontiers of scientific discovery. The new Platform includes the confocal microscopes here in Zoology , operated by Dr...


Read more at: Dr Eleanor Bladon first Fellow in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Clare College
Dr Eleanor Bladon, with woodland in the background

Dr Eleanor Bladon first Fellow in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Clare College

25 June 2025

We are delighted to share the news that Dr Eleanor Bladon, who is a postdoctoral research associate here in Zoology, has been awarded the Pathway to Independence Fellowship in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Clare College . The position drew over 50 high calibre applications internationally, and six applicants were...


Read more at: Before dispersing out of Africa, humans expanded their use of diverse habitats

Before dispersing out of Africa, humans expanded their use of diverse habitats

18 June 2025

The Evolutionary Ecology group, led by Prof Andrea Manica, is interested in how animals respond and adapt to changing environments. The same tools used to study other animal species can be applied to humans. Research by the group and collaborators, reported in a paper published in Nature[LINK] today, shows how learning to...


Read more at: Stephen Montgomery appointed Prince Philip Professor of Ecology and Evolution

Stephen Montgomery appointed Prince Philip Professor of Ecology and Evolution

17 June 2025

We are delighted to announce that the Vice Chancellor has appointed Professor Stephen Montgomery as the third Prince Philip Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Cambridge. The University created the Prince Philip Professorship in 2007, to mark the 30th anniversary of His Royal Highness the Duke of...


Read more at: UN-backed global research identifies key marine conservation areas

UN-backed global research identifies key marine conservation areas

6 June 2025

The findings of MegaMove a global UN-endorsed research project, were published this week in the journal Science. The project involved a team of nearly 400 international scientists from over 50 countries who have tracked more than 100 marine megafauna species, to identify the most critical locations in our global oceans for...


Read more at: Insect biodiversity change: putting the puzzle together
A bee in a yellow flower. Photo by Andrew Bladon

Insect biodiversity change: putting the puzzle together

28 May 2025

Insect biodiversity change is an important research focus for our Agroecology Group . Widespread declines in insect biodiversity have been attributed to a diverse set of anthropogenic drivers, but the relative importance of these drivers remains a puzzle. One aspect of the group's research, as part of the GLITRS project ...


Read more at: New method to avoid perfect being the enemy of good in conservation
a large number of indian vultures and a jackal enjoying feast at madhav national park. photo by chitra 2016 from wikicommons

New method to avoid perfect being the enemy of good in conservation

28 May 2025

The quest for a perfect understanding of the causes of species decline can get in the way of good options for immediate action when it comes to conservation. A framework to tackle this issue is described in a new paper published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence, co-authored by Prof Jeremy Wilson, Director...


Read more at: Zoology Postgraduate Symposium 2025 a great success!
Composite image of participants at the 2025 Zoology postgraduate symposium

Zoology Postgraduate Symposium 2025 a great success!

22 May 2025

On Monday 14 April we welcomed members of the department to our first in-house postgraduate student symposium. The symposium is our annual opportunity to showcase and celebrate the diverse work being done by PhD and MPhil students in the department — as well as to build links between research groups and exchange ideas and...


Read more at: Dr Greg Jefferis, Prof Claire Spottiswoode and Dr Marta Zlatić elected Fellows of the Royal Society
Pictured left to right: Dr Gregory Jefferis, Pof Claire Spottiswoode and Dr Marta Zlatic

Dr Greg Jefferis, Prof Claire Spottiswoode and Dr Marta Zlatić elected Fellows of the Royal Society

20 May 2025

Today we congratulate three members of our department, Dr Gregory Jefferis , Prof Claire Spottiswoode and Dr Marta Zlatić on being elected Fellows of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. Fellowship of the Society is a significant honour. Fellows are elected for life, based on excellence in science...