Kimberley J. Mathot
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Very broadly, my research centers on understanding the causes and consequences of phenotypic variation across different levels of biological organization. What limits within-individual phenotypic plasticity? Why do individuals from the same populations often show consistent differences in their average behaviour (also referred to as animal personality)? How do individual level characteristics scale up to influence group level dynamics? I use both empirical and theoretical approaches to address these questions.
My current collaboration with Theunis is addressing questions related to the development of phenotypic variation (together with PhD candidate Eva Kok). How do among-individual differences in behavioural and physiological traits and trait integration develop? Do differences in early experience set individuals on different developmental trajectories? Do traits become integrated through ontogeny? We are studying this in two subspecies of red knots (Calidris canutus islandica and C. c. canutus), comparing patterns of phenotypic variation and integration across age categories, and following the development of phenotypes across multiple years in individuals receiving experimentally controlled experiences (e.g. exposure to particular food types).
You can read more about my research here.
My publications can be accessed through:
Profile photo: Jan Wijmenga