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Dr Andrew Young

Dr Andrew Young

Associate Professor of Evolutionary Biology

 01326 254241

 Daphne du Maurier 3043

 

Daphne du Maurier Building, University of Exeter,  Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

I am an evolutionary biologist with a particular interest in the evolution and mechanisms of social behaviour and ageing. My research group ask questions at the interface of these fields using wild social vertebrates and microbes as model systems. See www.animalsocieties.org for the low-down on our work.

I am also a passionate educator and ecologist, and enjoy teaching and learning both in the class-room and the field. I am Director of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation's renowned Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology MSc programme and am a deputy Director of Postgradute Research.

I am particularly interested in the evolution of cooperation and sociality and their implications for life-histories, in particular for patterns of senescence. My group take an integrative approach, asking both evolutionary and mechanistic questions, given the potential for mechanistic insights to shed light on evolutionary constraints and the origins of variation. We test hypotheses through a combination of long-term longitudinal life-history, behavioural and molecular analyses, targeted field experiments, and experimental evolution in the laboratory. We use natural populations of social vertebrates and laboratory studies of microbes as our main study systems. One of our primary model systems is our long-term study of sparrow weaver societies in the Kalahari desert.

Do get in touch if you are interested in joining the group! Find out more at www.animalsocieties.org

Qualifications

2003 PhD Zoology, University of Cambridge
1997 BA (Hons), University of Cambridge

Career

2016-now  Associate Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Exeter
2010-2016 BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow, Exeter
2007-2010 NERC Blue Skies Research Fellow, Exeter
2004-2007 Magdalene College Research Fellow, Cambridge
2000-2003 PhD, Cambridge

I started my career in Cambridge, completing my Honours degree and PhD, and then holding a Fellowship at Magdalene College. I then won a NERC Fellowship to move to Exeter’s CEC in 2007 and set up the sparrow weaver project, and a BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship in 2010. I am a deputy Director of Postgraduate Research, the Director of our flagship Evolutionary & Behavoural Ecology MSc programme and support early-career international research fellowship programmes for the BBSRC and Royal Society.

Away from the office, I am a climber, kayaker, photographer, mammalwatcher and father of twins.

Links

Research group links

Research

Research interests

My research seeks to understand the Evolution and Mechanisms of Social Behaviour and Senescence (Ageing) using wild social vertebrates and microbes as model systems

Full details can be found on my research group website www.animalsocieties.org

I am particularly interested in the evolution of cooperation, social conflict and senescence and the interactions between these phenomena. My group take an integrative approach, asking both evolutionary and mechanistic questions, given the potential for mechanistic insights to shed light on evolutionary constraints and the origins of variation. We test evolutionary and mechanistic hypotheses through a combination of long-term longitudinal life-history, behavioural and molecular (e.g. genomics, endocrine and oxidative stress, and telomere biology) analyses, targeted field experiments, and experimental evolution in the laboratory.

We use natural populations of social vertebrates and laboratory studies of microbes as our main study systems. One of our primary model systems is our long-term study of sparrow weaver societies in the Kalahari desert.

Do get in touch if you are interested in joining the group! Find out more at www.animalsocieties.org

Research projects

THE EVOLUTION OF COOPERATION

THE EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF SENESCENCE (IN MICROBES)

THE MECHANISMS OF SENESCENCE: FROM MICROBES TO HUMANS

CAUSES OF VARIATION IN SENESCENCE TRAJECTORIES

TRANSGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF SENESCENCE

Full details can be found on my research group website www.animalsocieties.org

Research networks

COOPERATION & SENESCENCE IN SPARROW-WEAVER SOCIETIES
Pablo Capilla Lasheras, Alastair Wilson, Joao Passos, Xavier Harrison, Marc Naguib, Jon Blount, Nigel Bennett & Simone Meddle

MICROBIAL SENESCENCE & COOPERATION
Stefano Pagliara, Angus Buckling, Bram Kuijper & John McNamara

SENESCENCE IN EUROPEAN BADGERS
Dez Delahay, Robbie McDonald & Sue Walker

SENESCENCE IN RACE-HORSES
Patrick Sharman & Alastair Wilson

THE EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS OF STRESS RESPONSES
Alastair Wilson, Ryan Earley & Tom Houslay

Links


Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Key publications


Houslay T, Earley RL, White SJ, Lammers W, Grimmer AJ, Travers LM, Johnson EL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Genetic integration of behavioural and endocrine components of the stress response. eLife Abstract.
Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison X, Wood EM, Wilson AJ, Young AJ (2021). Altruistic bet-hedging and the evolution of cooperation in a Kalahari bird. Science Advances, 7(39). Abstract.
Wood EM, Capilla‐Lasheras P, Cram DL, Walker LA, York JE, Lange A, Hamilton PB, Tyler CR, Young AJ (2021). Social dominance and rainfall predict telomere dynamics in a cooperative arid‐zone bird. Molecular Ecology, 31(23), 6141-6154.
Łapińska U, Glover G, Capilla-Lasheras P, Young AJ, Pagliara S (2019). Bacterial ageing in the absence of external stressors. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 374(1786), 20180442-20180442. Abstract.
Wood EM, Young AJ (2019). Telomere attrition predicts reduced survival in a wild social bird, but short telomeres do not. Mol Ecol, 28(16), 3669-3680. Abstract.  Author URL.
Young AJ (2018). The role of telomeres in the mechanisms and evolution of life-history trade-offs and ageing. Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences

Publications by category


Journal articles

Sharman P, Young A, Wilson A (In Press). Evidence of maternal and paternal age effects on speed in thoroughbred racehorses. Royal Society Open Science
Houslay T, Earley RL, White SJ, Lammers W, Grimmer AJ, Travers LM, Johnson EL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Genetic integration of behavioural and endocrine components of the stress response. eLife Abstract.
Houslay TM, Earley RL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Habituation and individual variation in the endocrine stress response in the Trinidadian guppy (<i>Poecilia reticulata</i>).  Abstract.
Walker LA, Tschirren L, York JE, Sharp PJ, Meddle SL, Young AJ (In Press). Prolactin and the regulation of parental care and helping behavior in cooperatively breeding white-browed sparrow weaver societies.  Abstract.
Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison X, Wood EM, Wilson AJ, Young AJ (2021). Altruistic bet-hedging and the evolution of cooperation in a Kalahari bird. Science Advances, 7(39). Abstract.
Brown AM, Wood EM, Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison XA, Young AJ (2021). Longitudinal evidence that older parents produce offspring with longer telomeres in a wild social bird. Biology Letters, 17(10). Abstract.
Wood EM, Capilla‐Lasheras P, Cram DL, Walker LA, York JE, Lange A, Hamilton PB, Tyler CR, Young AJ (2021). Social dominance and rainfall predict telomere dynamics in a cooperative arid‐zone bird. Molecular Ecology, 31(23), 6141-6154.
Łapińska U, Glover G, Capilla-Lasheras P, Young AJ, Pagliara S (2019). Bacterial ageing in the absence of external stressors. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 374(1786), 20180442-20180442. Abstract.
York JE, Wells KJ, Young AJ (2019). Dominance-related contributions to collective territory defence are adjusted according to the threat. Animal Behaviour, 158, 25-34. Abstract.
Houslay TM, Earley RL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (2019). Habituation and individual variation in the endocrine stress response in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 270, 113-122. Abstract.
Wood EM, Young AJ (2019). Telomere attrition predicts reduced survival in a wild social bird, but short telomeres do not. Mol Ecol, 28(16), 3669-3680. Abstract.  Author URL.
Benton CH, Delahay RJ, Smith FAP, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Young AJ, Burke TA, Hodgson D (2018). Inbreeding intensifies sex- and age-dependent disease in a wild mammal. J Anim Ecol, 87(6), 1500-1511. Abstract.  Author URL.
Houslay TM, Vierbuchen M, Grimmer AJ, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (2018). Testing the stability of behavioural coping style across stress contexts in the Trinidadian guppy. Functional Ecology, 32(2), 424-438. Abstract.
Young AJ (2018). The role of telomeres in the mechanisms and evolution of life-history trade-offs and ageing. Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences
Thompson FJ, Cant MA, Marshall HH, Vitikainen, Sanderson JL, Nichols HJ, Gilchrist JS, Bell MBV, Hodge SJ, Young AJ, et al (2017). Explaining negative kin discrimination in a cooperative mammal society. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA
Thompson FJ, Marshall HH, Vitikainen EIK, Young AJ, Cant MA (2017). Individual and demographic consequences of mass eviction in cooperative banded mongooses. Animal Behaviour, 134, 103-112. Abstract.
Beirne C, Waring L, Mcdonald RA, Delahay R, Young AJ (2016). Age-related declines in immune response in a wild mammal are unrelated to immune cell telomere length. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
York JE, Radford AN, de Vries B, Groothuis TG, Young AJ (2016). Dominance-related seasonal song production is unrelated to circulating testosterone in a subtropical songbird. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 233, 43-52. Abstract.
York JE, Radford AN, Groothuis TG, Young AJ (2016). Dominant male song performance reflects current immune state in a cooperatively breeding songbird. Ecol Evol, 6(4), 1008-1015. Abstract.  Author URL.
Thornton A, McAuliffe K, Dall SRX, Fernandez-Duque E, Garber PA, Young AJ (2016). Fundamental Problems with the Cooperative Breeding Hypothesis. A reply to Burkart & Van Schaik. Journal of Zoology, 299(2), 84-88.
Thompson F, Marshall HH, Sanderson JL, Vitikainen EIK, Nichols HJ, Gilchrist J, Young AJ, Hodge SJ, Cant MA (2016). Reproductive competition triggers mass eviction in cooperative banded mongooses. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Walker L, York JE, Young AJ (2016). Sexually-selected sentinels? Evidence of a role for intra-sexual competition in sentinel behavior. Behavioral Ecology
Sanderson JL, Nichols H, Marshall HH, Vitikainen E, Thompson F, Walker S, Cant MA, Young AJ (2015). Elevated glucocorticoid concentrations during gestation predict reduced reproductive success in subordinate female banded mongooses. Biology Letters
Cram DL, Blount JD, York JE, Young AJ (2015). Immune response in a wild bird is predicted by oxidative status but does not cause oxidative stress. PLoS One
Cram DL, Blount JD, Young AJ (2015). Oxidative status and social dominance in a wild cooperative breeder. Functional Ecology, 29(2), 229-238. Abstract.
Beirne C, Delahay R, Young AJ (2015). Sex differences in senescence: the role of intra-sexual competition in early adulthood. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
Sanderson JL, Stott I, Young AJ, Vitikainen E, Hodge SJ, Cant MA (2015). The origins of consistent individual differences in cooperation in wild banded mongooses. Animal Behaviour
Cram DL, Blount JD, Young AJ (2015). The oxidative costs of reproduction are group-size dependent in a wild cooperative breeder. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
Young AJ, Jarvis JUM, Barnaville J, Bennett NC (2015). Workforce effects and the evolution of complex sociality in wild Damaraland mole-rat societies. The American Naturalist
Beirne C, Delahay R, Hares M, Young AJ (2014). Age-related declines and disease-associated variation in immune cell telomere length in a wild mammal. PLoS One
Sanderson JL, Young AJ, Hodge SJ, Kyabulima S, Walker S, Cant MA (2014). Hormonal mediation of a carry-over effect in a wild cooperative mammal. Functional Ecology
Harrison XA, York JE, Young AJ (2014). Population genetic structure and direct 
observations reveal sex-reversed patterns of dispersal in a cooperative bird. Molecular Ecology
York JE, Young AJ, Radford AN (2014). Singing in the moonlight: dawn song performance of a diurnal bird varies with lunar phase. Biology Letters
Mares R, Bateman AW, English S, Clutton-Brock TH, Young AJ (2014). Timing of predispersal prospecting is influenced by environmental, social and state-dependent factors in meerkats. Animal Behaviour
Harrison XA, York JE, Cram DL, Hares MC, Young AJ (2013). Complete reproductive skew within white-browed sparrow weaver groups despite outbreeding opportunities for subordinates of both sexes. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67(12), 1915-1929. Abstract.
Harrison XA, York JE, Cram DL, Young AJ (2013). Extra-group mating increases inbreeding risk in a cooperatively breeding bird. Molecular Ecology, 22(22), 5700-5715. Abstract.
Young AJ, Bennett NC (2013). Intra-sexual selection in cooperative mammals and birds: why aren't females bigger and better armed?. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Lutermann H, Young AJ, Bennett NC (2013). Reproductive status and testosterone among females in cooperative mole-rat societies. General and Comparative Endocrinology
Cant MA, Young AJ (2013). Resolving social conflict among females without overt aggression. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Mares R, Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2012). Individual contributions to territory defence in a cooperative breeder: weighing up the benefits and costs. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Abbot P, Abe J, Alcock J, Alizon S, Alpedrinha JAC, Andersson M, Andre J-B, van Baalen M, Balloux F, Balshine S, et al (2011). Inclusive fitness theory and eusociality. Nature, 471(7339), E1-E4. Abstract.  Author URL.
Mares R, Young AJ, Levesque DL, Harrison N, Clutton-Brock TH (2011). Responses to intruder scents in the cooperatively breeding meerkat: Sex and social status differences and temporal variation. Behavioral Ecology, 22(3), 594-600. Abstract.
Clutton-Brock TH, Hodge SJ, Flower TP, Spong G, Young AJ (2010). Adaptive suppression of subordinate reproduction in cooperative mammals. American Naturalist, 176, 664-673.
Young AJ, Bennett NC (2010). Morphological divergence of breeders and helpers in Damaraland mole-rat societies. Evolution, 64, 3190-3197.
Young AJ, Oosthuizen MK, Lutermann H, Bennett NC (2010). Physiological suppression eases in Damaraland mole-rat societies when ecological constraints on dispersal are relaxed. Horm Behav, 57, 177-183. Abstract.
Young AJ, Monfort SL (2009). Stress and the costs of extra-territorial movement in a social carnivore. Biology Letters
Spong GF, Hodge SJ, Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2008). Factors affecting the reproductive success of dominant male meerkats. Mol Ecol, 17(9), 2287-2299. Abstract.  Author URL.
Young AJ, Monfort, S.L. Clutton-Brock, T.H. (2008). The causes of physiological suppression among female meerkats: a role for subordinate restraint due to the threat of infanticide?. Hormones and Behaviour, 53
Russell AF, Young AJ, Spong G, Jordan NR, Clutton-Brock TH (2007). Helpers increase the reproductive potential of offspring in cooperative meerkats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274
Young AJ, Spong G, Clutton-Brock TH (2007). Subordinate male meerkats prospect for extra-group paternity: alternative reproductive tactics in a cooperative animal. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 274(1618), 1603-1609.
Carlson AA, Manser, M.B. Young, A.J. Russell, A.F. Jordan N, McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Cortisol levels are positively associated with pup-feeding rates in male meerkats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273
Carlson AA, Russell, A.F. Young, A.J. Jordan, N. McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Elevated prolactin levels immediately precede decisions to babysit by male meerkat helpers. Hormones and Behaviour, 50
Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Infanticide by subordinates influences reproductive sharing in cooperatively breeding meerkats. Biology Letters, 2(3), 385-387.
Young AJ, Carlson AA, Russell AF, Bennett NC, Monfort SL, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Stress and the suppression of subordinate reproduction in cooperatively breeding meerkats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(32), 12005-12010.
Stephens PA, Russell AF, Young AJ, Sutherland WJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2005). Dispersal, eviction, and conflict in meerkats (Suricata suricatta): an evolutionarily stable strategy model. American Naturalist, 165(1), 120-135. Abstract.
Young AJ, Carlson AA, Clutton-Brock TH (2005). Trade-offs between extra-territorial prospecting and helping in a cooperative mammal. Animal Behaviour, 70(4), 829-837.
Carlson AA, Young AJ, Russell AF, Bennett NC, McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock T (2004). Hormonal correlates of dominance in meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Horm Behav, 46(2), 141-150. Abstract.  Author URL.
Carlson AA, Nicol, L. Young, A.J. Parlow, A.F. McNeilly AS (2003). Radioimmunoassay of prolactin for the meerkat (Suricata suricatta), a cooperatively breeding carnivore. General & Comparative Endocrinology, 130
Clutton-Brock TH, Russell, A.F. Sharpe, L.L. Young, A.J. Balmforth Z, McIlrath GM (2002). Evolution and development of sex differences in cooperative behaviour in meerkats. Science, 297(5579).

Chapters

Young AJ (2009). The Causes of Physiological Suppression in Vertebrate Societies: a Synthesis. In Hager R, Jones CB (Eds.) Reproductive Skew in Vertebrates, Cambridge University Press, 397-436.

Publications by year


In Press

Sharman P, Young A, Wilson A (In Press). Evidence of maternal and paternal age effects on speed in thoroughbred racehorses. Royal Society Open Science
Houslay T, Earley RL, White SJ, Lammers W, Grimmer AJ, Travers LM, Johnson EL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Genetic integration of behavioural and endocrine components of the stress response. eLife Abstract.
Houslay TM, Earley RL, White SJ, Lammers W, Grimmer AJ, Travers LM, Johnson EL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Genetic integration of behavioural and endocrine components of the stress response.  Abstract.
Houslay TM, Earley RL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (In Press). Habituation and individual variation in the endocrine stress response in the Trinidadian guppy (<i>Poecilia reticulata</i>).  Abstract.
Capilla-Lasheras P, Wilson AJ, Young AJ (In Press). Mothers front-load their investment to the egg stage when helped in a wild cooperative bird.  Abstract.
Walker LA, Tschirren L, York JE, Sharp PJ, Meddle SL, Young AJ (In Press). Prolactin and the regulation of parental care and helping behavior in cooperatively breeding white-browed sparrow weaver societies.  Abstract.

2022

Brown A (2022). Mechanisms of age-related change in performance in a wild social bird: parental age effects, cellular senescence, and dominance acquisition.  Abstract.
O'Callaghan O (2022). Social effects on adult survival in a wild cooperative bird.  Abstract.
Sharman P (2022). Understanding the Genetics of Thoroughbred Racehorse Speed.  Abstract.

2021

Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison X, Wood EM, Wilson AJ, Young AJ (2021). Altruistic bet-hedging and the evolution of cooperation in a Kalahari bird. Science Advances, 7(39). Abstract.
Brown AM, Wood EM, Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison XA, Young AJ (2021). Longitudinal evidence that older parents produce offspring with longer telomeres in a wild social bird. Biology Letters, 17(10). Abstract.
Wood EM, Capilla‐Lasheras P, Cram DL, Walker LA, York JE, Lange A, Hamilton PB, Tyler CR, Young AJ (2021). Social dominance and rainfall predict telomere dynamics in a cooperative arid‐zone bird. Molecular Ecology, 31(23), 6141-6154.

2020

Mathison K (2020). Comparing social dynamics and telomere attrition between high promiscuity and low promiscuity flocks of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).  Abstract.
Brown AM, Wood EM, Capilla-Lasheras P, Harrison XA, Young AJ (2020). Older mothers produce offspring with longer telomeres: a longitudinal within-parent analysis.
Capilla-Lasheras P (2020). The evolution of cooperation in an arid-zone bird:. bet-hedging, plasticity and constraints.  Abstract.

2019

Łapińska U, Glover G, Capilla-Lasheras P, Young AJ, Pagliara S (2019). Bacterial ageing in the absence of external stressors. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 374(1786), 20180442-20180442. Abstract.
York JE, Wells KJ, Young AJ (2019). Dominance-related contributions to collective territory defence are adjusted according to the threat. Animal Behaviour, 158, 25-34. Abstract.
Houslay TM, Earley RL, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (2019). Habituation and individual variation in the endocrine stress response in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 270, 113-122. Abstract.
Williams A (2019). Modelling the evolution of socio-political complexity.  Abstract.
Wood EM, Young AJ (2019). Telomere attrition predicts reduced survival in a wild social bird, but short telomeres do not. Mol Ecol, 28(16), 3669-3680. Abstract.  Author URL.

2018

Benton CH, Delahay RJ, Smith FAP, Robertson A, McDonald RA, Young AJ, Burke TA, Hodgson D (2018). Inbreeding intensifies sex- and age-dependent disease in a wild mammal. J Anim Ecol, 87(6), 1500-1511. Abstract.  Author URL.
Houslay TM, Vierbuchen M, Grimmer AJ, Young AJ, Wilson AJ (2018). Testing the stability of behavioural coping style across stress contexts in the Trinidadian guppy. Functional Ecology, 32(2), 424-438. Abstract.
Young AJ (2018). The role of telomeres in the mechanisms and evolution of life-history trade-offs and ageing. Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences

2017

Thompson FJ, Cant MA, Marshall HH, Vitikainen, Sanderson JL, Nichols HJ, Gilchrist JS, Bell MBV, Hodge SJ, Young AJ, et al (2017). Explaining negative kin discrimination in a cooperative mammal society. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA
Thompson FJ, Marshall HH, Vitikainen EIK, Young AJ, Cant MA (2017). Individual and demographic consequences of mass eviction in cooperative banded mongooses. Animal Behaviour, 134, 103-112. Abstract.

2016

Beirne C, Waring L, Mcdonald RA, Delahay R, Young AJ (2016). Age-related declines in immune response in a wild mammal are unrelated to immune cell telomere length. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
York JE, Radford AN, de Vries B, Groothuis TG, Young AJ (2016). Dominance-related seasonal song production is unrelated to circulating testosterone in a subtropical songbird. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 233, 43-52. Abstract.
York JE, Radford AN, Groothuis TG, Young AJ (2016). Dominant male song performance reflects current immune state in a cooperatively breeding songbird. Ecol Evol, 6(4), 1008-1015. Abstract.  Author URL.
Thornton A, McAuliffe K, Dall SRX, Fernandez-Duque E, Garber PA, Young AJ (2016). Fundamental Problems with the Cooperative Breeding Hypothesis. A reply to Burkart & Van Schaik. Journal of Zoology, 299(2), 84-88.
Thompson F, Marshall HH, Sanderson JL, Vitikainen EIK, Nichols HJ, Gilchrist J, Young AJ, Hodge SJ, Cant MA (2016). Reproductive competition triggers mass eviction in cooperative banded mongooses. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Walker L, York JE, Young AJ (2016). Sexually-selected sentinels? Evidence of a role for intra-sexual competition in sentinel behavior. Behavioral Ecology

2015

Sanderson JL, Nichols H, Marshall HH, Vitikainen E, Thompson F, Walker S, Cant MA, Young AJ (2015). Elevated glucocorticoid concentrations during gestation predict reduced reproductive success in subordinate female banded mongooses. Biology Letters
Cram DL, Blount JD, York JE, Young AJ (2015). Immune response in a wild bird is predicted by oxidative status but does not cause oxidative stress. PLoS One
Cram DL, Blount JD, Young AJ (2015). Oxidative status and social dominance in a wild cooperative breeder. Functional Ecology, 29(2), 229-238. Abstract.
Beirne C, Delahay R, Young AJ (2015). Sex differences in senescence: the role of intra-sexual competition in early adulthood. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
Sanderson JL, Stott I, Young AJ, Vitikainen E, Hodge SJ, Cant MA (2015). The origins of consistent individual differences in cooperation in wild banded mongooses. Animal Behaviour
Cram DL, Blount JD, Young AJ (2015). The oxidative costs of reproduction are group-size dependent in a wild cooperative breeder. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B
Young AJ, Jarvis JUM, Barnaville J, Bennett NC (2015). Workforce effects and the evolution of complex sociality in wild Damaraland mole-rat societies. The American Naturalist

2014

Beirne C, Delahay R, Hares M, Young AJ (2014). Age-related declines and disease-associated variation in immune cell telomere length in a wild mammal. PLoS One
Sanderson JL, Young AJ, Hodge SJ, Kyabulima S, Walker S, Cant MA (2014). Hormonal mediation of a carry-over effect in a wild cooperative mammal. Functional Ecology
Harrison XA, York JE, Young AJ (2014). Population genetic structure and direct 
observations reveal sex-reversed patterns of dispersal in a cooperative bird. Molecular Ecology
York JE, Young AJ, Radford AN (2014). Singing in the moonlight: dawn song performance of a diurnal bird varies with lunar phase. Biology Letters
Mares R, Bateman AW, English S, Clutton-Brock TH, Young AJ (2014). Timing of predispersal prospecting is influenced by environmental, social and state-dependent factors in meerkats. Animal Behaviour

2013

Harrison XA, York JE, Cram DL, Hares MC, Young AJ (2013). Complete reproductive skew within white-browed sparrow weaver groups despite outbreeding opportunities for subordinates of both sexes. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67(12), 1915-1929. Abstract.
Harrison XA, York JE, Cram DL, Young AJ (2013). Extra-group mating increases inbreeding risk in a cooperatively breeding bird. Molecular Ecology, 22(22), 5700-5715. Abstract.
Young AJ, Bennett NC (2013). Intra-sexual selection in cooperative mammals and birds: why aren't females bigger and better armed?. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences
Lutermann H, Young AJ, Bennett NC (2013). Reproductive status and testosterone among females in cooperative mole-rat societies. General and Comparative Endocrinology
Cant MA, Young AJ (2013). Resolving social conflict among females without overt aggression. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences

2012

Mares R, Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2012). Individual contributions to territory defence in a cooperative breeder: weighing up the benefits and costs. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences

2011

Abbot P, Abe J, Alcock J, Alizon S, Alpedrinha JAC, Andersson M, Andre J-B, van Baalen M, Balloux F, Balshine S, et al (2011). Inclusive fitness theory and eusociality. Nature, 471(7339), E1-E4. Abstract.  Author URL.
Mares R, Young AJ, Levesque DL, Harrison N, Clutton-Brock TH (2011). Responses to intruder scents in the cooperatively breeding meerkat: Sex and social status differences and temporal variation. Behavioral Ecology, 22(3), 594-600. Abstract.

2010

Clutton-Brock TH, Hodge SJ, Flower TP, Spong G, Young AJ (2010). Adaptive suppression of subordinate reproduction in cooperative mammals. American Naturalist, 176, 664-673.
Young AJ, Bennett NC (2010). Morphological divergence of breeders and helpers in Damaraland mole-rat societies. Evolution, 64, 3190-3197.
Young AJ, Oosthuizen MK, Lutermann H, Bennett NC (2010). Physiological suppression eases in Damaraland mole-rat societies when ecological constraints on dispersal are relaxed. Horm Behav, 57, 177-183. Abstract.

2009

Young AJ, Monfort SL (2009). Stress and the costs of extra-territorial movement in a social carnivore. Biology Letters
Young AJ (2009). The Causes of Physiological Suppression in Vertebrate Societies: a Synthesis. In Hager R, Jones CB (Eds.) Reproductive Skew in Vertebrates, Cambridge University Press, 397-436.

2008

Spong GF, Hodge SJ, Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2008). Factors affecting the reproductive success of dominant male meerkats. Mol Ecol, 17(9), 2287-2299. Abstract.  Author URL.
Young AJ, Monfort, S.L. Clutton-Brock, T.H. (2008). The causes of physiological suppression among female meerkats: a role for subordinate restraint due to the threat of infanticide?. Hormones and Behaviour, 53

2007

Russell AF, Young AJ, Spong G, Jordan NR, Clutton-Brock TH (2007). Helpers increase the reproductive potential of offspring in cooperative meerkats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274
Young AJ, Spong G, Clutton-Brock TH (2007). Subordinate male meerkats prospect for extra-group paternity: alternative reproductive tactics in a cooperative animal. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 274(1618), 1603-1609.

2006

Carlson AA, Manser, M.B. Young, A.J. Russell, A.F. Jordan N, McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Cortisol levels are positively associated with pup-feeding rates in male meerkats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273
Carlson AA, Russell, A.F. Young, A.J. Jordan, N. McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Elevated prolactin levels immediately precede decisions to babysit by male meerkat helpers. Hormones and Behaviour, 50
Young AJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Infanticide by subordinates influences reproductive sharing in cooperatively breeding meerkats. Biology Letters, 2(3), 385-387.
Young AJ, Carlson AA, Russell AF, Bennett NC, Monfort SL, Clutton-Brock TH (2006). Stress and the suppression of subordinate reproduction in cooperatively breeding meerkats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(32), 12005-12010.

2005

Stephens PA, Russell AF, Young AJ, Sutherland WJ, Clutton-Brock TH (2005). Dispersal, eviction, and conflict in meerkats (Suricata suricatta): an evolutionarily stable strategy model. American Naturalist, 165(1), 120-135. Abstract.
Young AJ, Carlson AA, Clutton-Brock TH (2005). Trade-offs between extra-territorial prospecting and helping in a cooperative mammal. Animal Behaviour, 70(4), 829-837.

2004

Carlson AA, Young AJ, Russell AF, Bennett NC, McNeilly AS, Clutton-Brock T (2004). Hormonal correlates of dominance in meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Horm Behav, 46(2), 141-150. Abstract.  Author URL.

2003

Carlson AA, Nicol, L. Young, A.J. Parlow, A.F. McNeilly AS (2003). Radioimmunoassay of prolactin for the meerkat (Suricata suricatta), a cooperatively breeding carnivore. General & Comparative Endocrinology, 130

2002

Clutton-Brock TH, Russell, A.F. Sharpe, L.L. Young, A.J. Balmforth Z, McIlrath GM (2002). Evolution and development of sex differences in cooperative behaviour in meerkats. Science, 297(5579).

andrew_young Details from cache as at 2023-03-22 02:29:31

Refresh publications

External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

Research Council Responsibilities:
Royal Society Newton Fellowship Committee 2018-Present
BBSRC Future Leader Fellowship (FLF) mentoring 2015-2018

Examination of Post-graduate Theses:
F.J. De Haas van Dorsser, University of Cambridge, UK (PhD)
J. Rabineau, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
H.J. Nichols, University of Cambridge, UK (PhD)
N. Reed, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
J. Mangel, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
L. Grinsted, Aarhus Univeristy, Denmark (PhD)
K.L. Edwards, University of Liverpool, UK (PhD)
M. Paquet, CEFE CNRS Montpellier, France (PhD)
S. Kroeger, University of Aberdeen, UK (PhD)
N. Khwaja, University of Sheffield, UK (PhD)
R. Woods, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
M. Creasey, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
S. C. Paul, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
M. X. P. Pacheco, University of Exeter, UK (PhD)
S. Kendall, University of Exeter, UK (MbyRes)
A. Sibun, University of Bristol, UK (MbyRes)
H. Williams, University of Exeter, UK (MbyRes)
C. Christensen, University of Bristol, UK (MbyRes)
A. Sibma, University of Sheffield, UK (PhD)
M. Roast, Universtiy of Melbourne, Australia (PhD)

Scientific Committees:
International Society for Behavioural Ecology 2016
International Mammological Congress 2013


Editorial responsibilities

Refereeing for the following journals: Aging Cell, American Naturalist, Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology, Biology Letters, Conservation Physiology, Evolution, Evolutionary Psychology, Hormones & Behavior, Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal of Biodiversity Management & Forestry, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal of Zoology, Journal of Mammalogy, Nature Communications, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Physiology & Behavior, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Proceedings of the Royal Society, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Science.

Refereeing for book publishers: Cambridge University Press

Reviewing research grants: BBSRC, NERC, Royal Society, Leverhulme Trust, NRF


Invited lectures

I have given invited seminars at >25 research institutions in the UK and overseas

Invited Keynotes & Public Engagement Lectures
European Society for Behaviour and Cognition, St Andrews
Ethological Society, Hamburg
Zoological Society of London Communicating Science Series, London
Social Interactions Conference in Neuchatel, Switzerland
Biodemography of Ageing, Longevity and Sociality, Azores
ASAB Easter Meeting, Nottingham
Chicago Zoological Society


Media Coverage

International media coverage
National Geographic magazine, Scientific American, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The New York Times, Nature, Science, Science News, Science Illustrated, CBS Radio (Canada), BBC Radio, I Fucking Love Science, Mail on Sunday, Quo, Der Spiegel, Die Welt, Die Press, Süddeutsche Zeitung and others.

Research photography
Nature, Science, BBC Wildlife, TREE, Natural History, The Daily Telegraph, Africa Geographic, Biology Letters, Proceedings of the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Ethology, Hormones & Behavior, BBC Knowledge, Science Illustrated, Science News, Quo, World Birdwatch and in books by Orion and Cambridge University Press

Scientific consulting
National Geographic, BBC Natural History Unit, Oxford Scientific Films and Tigress Productions

Teaching

I very much enjoy teaching and learning in the class-room and the field with our inspirational students, and my teaching portfolio reflects this...

In second-year Animal Ecophysiology (BIO2427) we explore the interactions between evolution and mechanisms; both how adaptation has shaped physiological mechanisms and how key physiological processes may constrain and thereby explain evolutionary outcomes.

In second-year Biology of Mammals (BIO2431), my section of the course explores the evolution of mammalian life-histories and sex differences and their diverse implications.

And in our third-year Costa Rica Fieldcourse (BIO3414) we explore the evolutionary origins, assessment and conservation of biodiversity while getting up close and personal with the spectacular natural history of the Neotropics.

At Masters level, I am the Director of the Evolutionary & Behavioural Ecology MSc Programme and lead its core taught module Evolutionary & Behavioural Ecology: Frontiers & Approaches

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Modules

2022/23


Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Antony Brown (PhD 2017-21, Exeter) Kin competition and senescence in a wild social bird
  • Olivia O Callaghan (MbyRes 2019-21, Exeter) The evolution of cooperation via group augmentation and workload-lightening
  • Melanie Weedon (PhD 2017-21, Exeter) The mechanisms and transgenerational effects of senescence in wild European badgers

Alumni

  • Chris Beirne (PhD 2011-14, Exeter, with Dez Delahay of FERA)The mechanisms of senescence in wild European badgers
  • Chris Beirne (BBSRC Post-doctoral Research Associate) Mechanisms of senescence in wild social vertebrates
  • Pablo Capilla Lasheras (PhD 2016-19, Exeter) The Evolution of Cooperation in Variable Environments
  • Dominic Cram (PhD 2013) Load-lightening, oxidative stress and the evolution of avian cooperation
  • Xavier Harrison (BBSRC Post-doctoral Research Associate) Patterns of parentage in sparrow weaver societies: cause and implications for mate choice, dispersal and cooperation
  • Rafael Mares (PhD 2012) Extra-territorial prospecting and territory defence in cooperatively breeding meerkats
  • Jenni Sanderson (PhD 2013) The regulation of cooperation and conflict in banded mongoose societies
  • Faye Thompson (PhD 2017, Exeter, with Mike Cant) Dispersal, inter-group conflict and population dynamics in banded mongooses
  • Lindsay Walker (PhD 2012-16, Exeter, with Nick Royle) Early life effects on parental and cooperative care in sparrow weaver societies
  • Alice Williams (PhD 2014-2018, Exeter with Tom Currie) The evolution of sociopolitical complexity in humans
  • Emma Wood (PhD 2017, Exeter) Causes and fitness consequences of telomere dynamics in a wild social bird
  • Jenny York (PhD 2012) The regulation and function of dawn song in sparrow-weaver societies

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Andrew