Salamatu Abdu

Effects of parasites on collective behaviour and decision-making within complex animal societies

There is paucity of information as to whether parasites can impact individual fitness through its effect on collective behaviours. In order to address this question, I will be studying a population of vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum), a highly cohesive species. I aim to investigate how parasite loads can affect fitness, behaviours and social roles at individual and group levels.