Tag: predator–prey interactions

haldane prize

Haldane Prize 2025 | James Mouton: Behavioural co-option of plant secondary compounds by a cavity-nesting bird is an adaptation against competition and predation

2025 HALDANE PRIZE SHORTLIST: James Mouton discusses the paper “Behavioural co-option of plant secondary compounds by a cavity-nesting bird is an adaptation against competition and predation“, which has been shortlisted for Functional Ecology’s 2025 Haldane Prize for Early Career Researchers. About the paper Plants and other organisms produce many unique chemical compounds that can be useful for animals. Humans are great at taking advantage of … Continue reading Haldane Prize 2025 | James Mouton: Behavioural co-option of plant secondary compounds by a cavity-nesting bird is an adaptation against competition and predation

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Behind the paper

James Mouton: Red-breasted nuthatches smear sap around their nest entrances to protect against predators

James and team tap into the behavioural dynamics of red-breasted nuthatches and their use of conifer resin (sap). In their paper “Behavioural co-option of plant secondary compounds by a cavity-nesting bird is an adaptation against competition and predation”, James studies the how and why of nuthatch nesting behaviour and their apparent love for sticky, smelly conifer resin! On top of a delightful explanation on the … Continue reading James Mouton: Red-breasted nuthatches smear sap around their nest entrances to protect against predators

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Behind the paper

Korbinian Pacher: Understanding the dynamics behind prey motion and the performance of non-kin related group hunting predators in the open ocean.

In our latest post, Korbinian Pacher takes us out to hunt as he share insight behind the paper: “Evidence for a by-product mutualism in a group hunter depends on prey movement state”. Korbinian explains how striped marlin groups hunt schools of sardine and opens our eyes to the endless possibilities of studying behavioural ecology in the open ocean, using aerial vehicles no less!    About the … Continue reading Korbinian Pacher: Understanding the dynamics behind prey motion and the performance of non-kin related group hunting predators in the open ocean.

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