News

Researchers from IGB and the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig studied guppies to investigate the linkage between behavioural types and dispersal tendencies – important for understanding biological invasions.

David Bierbach and Jens Krause show that animals’ speed is fundamental for collective behavioral patterns, and that ultimately it is the faster individuals that have the strongest influence on group-level behavior. 

Risk-taking individuals are expected to grow better but also die faster than the less explorative individuals, according to the hypothesis that Félicie Dhellemmes and Jens Krause have tested.

An IGB study partially refutes the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis. Ex-IGB doctoral student Giovanni Polverino, was able to show that the pace-of-life syndrome, much discussed in biology at present, does not appear under all conditions.

Aggressiveness among animals may increase the longer individuals live together in stable groups. This is the finding of a recent study carried out by researchers from IGB. The study, published in the journal Animal Behaviour used the Amazon molly to isolate the effects of familiarity on behaviour.

Lesser Flamingos are the subject of a new book written by IGB scientist Lothar Krienitz. The book gives insights into the life of these mysterious water birds.

A team of scientists spearheaded by IGB has investigated whether flash photography induces an increase in cortisol levels of fish in aquariums.

Great news for IGB scientist Jens Krause and his group: Two clusters initiatives on the subject of collective behaviour and intelligence will receive funding through the German Excellence Strategy starting 1 January 2019.