Sociality and senescence in house sparrows

Double degree PhD project (co-supervised by Simon Griffith & Julia Schroeder)

‘Why do organisms senesce differently’ has been a long-standing puzzle for evolutionary biologists. Senescence can be influenced by energy trade-offs, and these trade-offs can in turn be influenced by social interactions. Janet is investigating the apparent effects of sociality on senescence, as well as the evolutionary links between the two, using social networks from a long-term house sparrow population. In addition, she is also examining the potential impacts of heavy metal pollution on senescence and sociality in house sparrows.