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Dr Nick Royle

Associate Professor in Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology

01326 371825

Daphne du Maurier 3047

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

Office hours:

Open office hours (DDM3047 or online via Teams - send me a direct message to arrange)

Tuesdays & Thursdays 1400-1500

Overview

I am a behavioural and evolutionary ecologist with wide ranging interests that include parental care, sexual selection, mating systems, reproductive conflicts of interest, early and social environmental effects, behavioural plasticity, social networks and life-history evolution and conservation. My work involves both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems in the field and in the lab. Most of my current research involves using Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles and Carabus intricatus, the blue ground beetle.

I am also the Director of Postgraduate Research for the ~150 PGR students in the Centre for Ecology & Conservation.

Google Scholar Researchgate Orcid The Evolution of Parental Care book Twitter

***Fully funded PhD project available now on the impacts of veterinary drugs on dung beetles and their microbiomes. Closing date Friday 9th December 2022. See Find a PhD for more details.***

Qualifications

1998 PhD Zoology (University of Durham)
1993 BSc Ecology (University of Edinburgh)

Career

2022-present Associate Professor, University of Exeter

2012-2022 Senior Lecturer, University of Exeter

2008-2012 Lecturer, University of Exeter

2007-2008 NERC postdoctoral fellowship, University of Exeter

2005-2006 NERC postdoctoral fellowship, University of Glasgow

2002-2005 PDRA, University of Glasgow

1998-2001 PDRA, Lancaster University

Research group links

Insect Evolutionary Ecology

Research

Research interests

I’m interested in how organisms adapt to changes in their environment (social and/or non-social), with a particular focus on plasticity in the context of parental care and sexual selection, within-family conflicts over parental investment and the co-evolutionary relationship between mating behaviours and parental care. I mostly use Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles in the lab or the field to address the questions that I am interested in, but also work on other species including blue ground beetles Carabus intricatus, blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus, canada geese Branta canadensis and have developing interests in various dung beetles.

Research projects

Current funded research projects

Ecology and conservation of blue ground beetles

Blue ground beetles Carabus intricatus are the largest species of UK ground beetle but are found at only a handful of sites, primarily on Dartmoor. They are a UK BAP priority species and in Category 1 (Endangered) of the Red Data Book list that is declining in Europe. The species has a very restricted distribution within the south west and has a stronghold on two Natural England managed Dartmoor NNRs - Dendles Wood and Bovey Valley Woods. The UK BAP for blue ground beetles states that ‘the key to expanding the range of this species is to restore or create more areas of suitable habitat’. However, relatively little is known about their biology, particularly their habitat requirements and preferences, population size and structure and foraging ecology. Such knowledge is essential in order to be able to implement successful conservation practices to boost populations. This project aims to determine habitat preferences, spatio-temporal activity, foraging ecology and population characteristics of blue ground beetles both within the NNRs and land owned by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Preservation Association and the Woodland Trust, with the longer term objective of ‘restoring or creating more areas of suitable habitat’ as prioritized by the UK BAP.

NERC CASE studentship in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England, The Woodland Trust & Buglife

Brogan Pett is the PhD student

Managing the competition: How do burying beetles and microbes sustainably coexist in competition over shared resources?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most important public health issues that society currently faces. Inappropriate use of antibiotics has accelerated the rate at which bacteria have evolved resistance and the development of new antimicrobials is very expensive and time-consuming and has almost come to a halt. Consequently we need to develop better ways to sustainably utilize existing and future antimicrobials.Burying beetles provide an example of evolved resistance management. In this project we will take a novel eco-evolutionary approach to combatting antimicrobial resistance that experimentally perturbs this tractable system in order to unlock resistance management secrets from 100 million years of co-evolution between burying beetle parental care and microbes.

NERC standard grant

Research networks

Suzanne Alonzo (University of California Santa Cruz, USA)
Mauricio Carter (Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile)
Megan Head (ANU, Australia)
Paul Hopwood (University of Exeter)
Tom Houslay (University of Cambridge)
Allen Moore (University of Georgia, USA)
Tom Pike (University of Lincoln)
Ben Raymond (University of Exeter)
Andy Russell (University of Exeter)
Wiebke Schuett (University of Sussex)
Per Smiseth (University of Edinburgh)
Sandra Steiger (University of Bayreuth, Germany)
David Studholme (University of Exeter)
Tom Tregenza (University of Exeter)
Alastair Wilson (University of Exeter)
Jason Wolf (University of Bath)
Andy Young (University of Exeter)

Research grants

2021 NERC Std Grant
Managing the competition: How do burying beetles and microbes sustainably coexist in competition over shared resources?
2011 NERC Std Grant
"Social and co-evolutionary dynamics of mating and parental care"
2009 NERC
"Food, sex and death"
2007 NERC
"Costs and consequences of the structured family"
2005 NERC Std Grant
"Signals of genetic quality in a genetically heritable social environment"
2005 NERC
"Costs, consequences and context-dependency of intrafamilial conflict"

Publications

Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year

Key publications

Royle NJ, Hopwood PE (2017). Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 49, 101-146. Abstract.

Hopwood PE, Head ML, Jordan EJ, Carter MJ, Davey E, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2016). Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. Evolution; international journal of organic evolution, 70(6), 1180-1188. Abstract.

Carter MJ, Head ML, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2015). Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Evolution, 69(4), 969-978. Abstract.

Carter MJ, Head ML, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2015). Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Evolution, 69(4), 969-978. Abstract. Author URL.

Head ML, Hinde CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2014). Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour. Ecology Letters, 17(7), 803-810. Abstract.

Publications by category

Books

Royle NJ, Smiseth PT, Kölliker M (eds)(In Press). The Evolution of Parental Care., Oxford University Press. Abstract.

Journal articles

Houslay TM, Kitchener PA, Royle NJ (2020). Are older parents less flexible? Testing age-dependent plasticity in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Animal Behaviour, 162, 79-86.

Carter MJ, Wilson AJ, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2019). The role of indirect genetic effects in the evolution of interacting reproductive behaviors in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. Ecology and Evolution, 9(3), 998-1009. Abstract.

Smiseth PT, Royle NJ (2018). The resolution of conflict in families. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 28, 8-12. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Hopwood PE (2017). Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 49, 101-146. Abstract.

Griffith SC, Crino OL, Andrew SC, Nomano FY, Adkins-Regan E, Alonso-Alvarez C, Bailey IE, Bittner SS, Bolton PE, Boner W, et al (2017). Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities. Ethology, 123(1), 1-29. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Alonzo SH, Moore AJ (2016). Co-evolution, conflict and complexity: what have we learned about the evolution of parental care behaviours?. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 12, 30-36.

Royle NJ (2016). Constraints and clutch size: a comment on Paquet and Smiseth. Behavioral Ecology, 27(3), 697-698.

Hopwood PE, Mazué GPF, Carter MJ, Head ML, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2016). Do female Nicrophorus vespilloides reduce direct costs by choosing males that mate less frequently?. Biology Letters, 12(3). Abstract.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Tregenza T, Royle NJ (2016). Erratum to Male burying beetles extend, not reduce, parental care duration when reproductive competition is high [J. Evol. Biol. 28: 1394-1402]. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 29(1).

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Tregenza T, Royle NJ (2016). Niche variation and the maintenance of variation in body size in a burying beetle. Ecological Entomology, 41(1), 96-104. Abstract.

Royle NJ (2016). Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop. Current Biology, 26(11), R478-R480. Abstract.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Tregenza T, Royle NJ (2016). The effect of size and sex ratio experiences on reproductive competition in Nicrophorus vespilloides. burying beetles in the wild. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 29(3), 541-550.

Carter MJ, Head ML, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2015). Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Evolution, 69(4), 969-978. Abstract.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Tregenza T, Royle NJ (2015). Male burying beetles extend, not reduce, parental care duration when reproductive competition is high. J Evol Biol, 28(7), 1394-1402. Abstract. Author URL.

Archer CR, Hempenstall S, Royle NJ, Selman C, Willis S, Rapkin J, Blount JD, Hunt J (2015). Testing the Effects of DL-Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation on Oxidative Damage, Total Antioxidant Protection and the Sex-Specific Responses of Reproductive Effort and Lifespan to Dietary Manipulation in Australian Field Crickets (Teleogryllus commodus). Antioxidants (Basel), 4(4), 768-792. Abstract. Author URL.

Lee VE, Head ML, Carter MJ, Royle NJ (2014). Effects of age and experience on contest behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. Behav Ecol, 25(1), 172-179. Abstract. Author URL.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2014). Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?. Proceedings. Biological sciences / the Royal Society, 281(1785). Abstract.

Royle NJ (2014). Everybody has a social life. Can social network analysis help us understand why not just how? Comment on Pinter-Wollman et al. Behavioral Ecology, 25(2), 256-257.

Royle NJ, Russell AF, Wilson AJ (2014). The evolution of flexible parenting. Science, 345(6198), 776-781. Abstract. Author URL.

Harold S, Wong Y, Baguette M, Bonsall MB, Clobert J, Royle NJ, Settele J (2013). BMC Ecology image competition: the winning images. BMC Ecol, 13 Abstract. Author URL.

Royle NJ, Hopwood PE, Head ML (2013). Burying beetles. Curr Biol, 23(20), R907-R909. Author URL.

Schuett W, Dall SRX, Wilson AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Environmental transmission of a personality trait: Foster parent exploration behaviour predicts offspring exploration behaviour in zebra finches. Biology Letters, 9(4). Abstract.

Benowitz KM, Head ML, Williams CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1764). Abstract.

Benowitz KM, Head ML, Williams CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance. Proc Biol Sci, 280(1767). Author URL.

Benowitz KM, Head ML, Williams CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance. Proc Biol Sci, 280(1764). Abstract. Author URL.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles. Functional Ecology

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles. Functional Ecology, 27(6), 1350-1357. Abstract.

Archer CR, Sakaluk SK, Selman C, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2013). Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution, 67(3), 620-634. Abstract.

Orledge JM, Blount JD, Hoodless AN, Royle NJ (2012). Antioxidant supplementation during early development reduces parasite load but does not affect sexual ornament expression in adult ring-necked pheasants. Functional Ecology, 26(3), 688-700.

The 'parasite-mediated sexual selection' (PMSS) hypothesis predicts that exaggerated male ornamentation could provide a signal to females of a male's ability to resist parasites. Empirical tests of the PMSS have been largely equivocal, however, which may be because most have not considered the role of early life-history effects. 2.Many sexually selected traits are carotenoid-based. Allocation of dietary-derived carotenoids to sexual ornaments may trade-off with allocation to pro-inflammatory immune response and/or antioxidant functions, mediated by the oxidative status of individuals. Exposure to parasites can increase oxidative stress, so under this scenario, sexually selected traits indicate ability to resist oxidative stress rather than ability to resist parasites per se. Such life-history trade-offs, mediated by oxidative status of individuals, are particularly acute during growth and development. 3.Here, we use ring-necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, a strongly sexually selected species, to test whether supplementation with dietary antioxidants (vitamin E) can mitigate the effects of early exposure to parasites (the nematode, Heterakis gallinarum), via alteration of the oxidative status of individuals, and positively affect the expression of sexual ornaments at adulthood. 4.We found that vitamin E mediated the effect of early exposure to parasites on levels of oxidative damage at 8weeks of age and reduced the parasite load of individuals at adulthood as predicted. However, the expression of sexual ornaments, immune function and growth were unaffected by either early vitamin E supplementation or manipulation of parasite load. In contrast to the predictions of the PMSS hypothesis, the intensity of sexual ornament expression was not related to either parasite load or oxidative status of individuals (current or long-term). Consequently, there was no evidence that the expression of sexual ornaments provided information on the ability of males to resist infection from parasites. © 2012 the Authors. Functional Ecology © 2012 British Ecological Society.

Abstract.

Royle NJ, Pike TW, Heeb P, Richner H, Kölliker M (2012). Offspring social network structure predicts fitness in families. Proc Biol Sci, 279(1749), 4914-4922. Abstract. Author URL.

Archer CR, Sakaluk SK, Selman C, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2012). Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution

Head ML, Berry LK, Royle NJ, Moore AJ (2012). Paternal Care: Direct and Indirect Genetic Effects of Fathers on Offspring Performance. Evolution, 66(11), 3570-3581. Abstract.

Head ML, Berry LK, Royle NJ, Moore AJ, Moore AJ (2012). Paternal care: Direct and indirect genetic effects of fathers on offspring performance. Evolution Abstract.

Archer CR, Zajitschek F, Sakaluk SK, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2012). Sexual selection affects the evolution of lifespan and ageing in the decorated cricket gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution

Archer CR, Zajitschek F, Sakaluk SK, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2012). Sexual selection affects the evolution of lifespan and ageing in the decorated cricket gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution, 66(10), 3088-3100. Abstract.

Orledge JM, ROYLE NJ, BLOUNT JD, PIKE TW, HOODLESS AN (2012). Synergistic effects of supplementation of dietary antioxidants during growth on adult phenotype in ring-necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus.

Royle N, Pike T (2011). Do you think you're sexy?. Planet Earth(SUMMER), 6-7. Abstract.

Teuber K, Schiller J, Jakop U, Lüpold S, Orledge JM, Blount JD, Royle NJ, Hoodless A, Müller K (2011). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a simple tool to determine the phospholipid/glycolipid composition of sperm: pheasant spermatozoa as one selected example. Anim Reprod Sci, 123(3-4), 270-278. Abstract. Author URL.

Schuett W, Dall SRX, Royle NJ (2011). Pairs of zebra finches with similar “personalities” make better parents. ANIM BEHAV, 81, 609-618. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Hall ME, Blount JD, Forbes S (2011). Patterns of egg yolk antioxidant co-variation in an avian brood parasite-host system. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 65(2), 313-323. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Schuett W, Dall SRX (2010). Behavioural consistency and the resolution of sexual conflict over parental care. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, 21, 1125-1130.

Walling CA, Royle NJ, Lindström J, Metcalfe NB (2010). Do female association preferences predict the likelihood of reproduction?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(4), 541-548. Abstract.

Hall ME, Blount JD, Forbes S, Royle NJ (2010). Does oxidative stress mediate the trade-off between growth and self-maintenance in structured families?. Functional Ecology, 24(2), 365-373.

Life-history theory predicts a trade-off between growth and self-maintenance. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress, the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal metabolic processes and the level of antioxidant defences, is a potential mechanism. In many altricial birds asynchronous hatching creates different castes of progeny as a hedge against developmental and environmental uncertainty (a 'structured' family). Older, 'core' offspring and later hatched 'marginal' offspring consequently experience contrasting levels of resource availability during development. To be adaptive the phenotypic handicap incurred by marginal offspring must be reversible when conditions allow. Dietary-derived antioxidants are an important component of antioxidant defences, which modulate oxidative damage arising from normal metabolic processes such as growth. Dietary antioxidants could therefore be important determinants of trade-offs during growth, with the balance of these trade-offs differing between core and marginal offspring. To investigate this, we manipulated brood size and structure as well as antioxidant availability (by vitamin and mineral supplementation), then measured growth and oxidative damage in nestling red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus. We found that individuals supplemented with dietary antioxidants allocated these extra resources to increasing growth rate, rather than reducing oxidative damage. Irrespective of hatch rank, nestlings that received supplementary antioxidants grew faster than controls, despite no difference in their begging behaviour or parental provisioning rates. There was no overall difference in the level of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) in the blood plasma of supplemented and control chicks, but among marginal offspring those that received an antioxidant supplement had lower plasma MDA. Antioxidant supplementation did not affect nestling survival to fledging age. These novel results support the idea that oxidative stress may play a central role in the trade-off between growth and self-maintenance. Moreover, they further highlight the importance of physiological costs in the evolution of life-histories and propose a role for oxidative stress in the adaptive basis of the structured family. © 2009 the Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 British Ecological Society.

Abstract.

Royle NJ, Pike TW (2010). Social feedback and attractiveness in zebra finches. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(12), 2015-2020. Abstract.

Archer CR, Royle N, South S, Selman C, Hunt J (2009). Nutritional geometry provides food for thought. J Gerontol a Biol Sci Med Sci, 64(9), 956-959. Abstract. Author URL.

Samanta, M. Lindström, J. Royle, N.J. (2008). Behavioural phenotype affects social interactions in an animal social network. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 275, 2515-2520.

Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2008). Context-dependent mate choice in relation to social composition in green swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Behavioral Ecology, 19, 998-1005.

Royle, N.J. Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2008). Experience-induced preference for short-sworded males in the green swordtail Xiphophorus helleri. Animal Behaviour, 76, 271-276.

Harris, W.E. Royle, N.J. (2008). The capture of heritable variation for genetic quality through social competition. Genetica, 134, 89-97.

Royle, N.J. Metcalfe, N.B. Lindström, J. (2007). Early nutritional conditions, growth trajectories and mate choice: does compensatory growth lead to a reduction in adult attractiveness?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61, 1007-1014.

Royle, N.J. Metcalfe, N.B. Lindström, J. (2007). Green swordtails alter their age at maturation in response to the population level of male ornamentation. Biology Letters, 3, 144-146.

Hartley, I.R. Parker, G.A. (2006). Consequences of biparental care for begging and growth in zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata. Animal Behaviour, 72, 123-130

Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2006). Effect of growth compensation on subsequent physical fitness in green swordtails Xiphophrus helleri. Biology Letters, 2(1), 39-42.

NJRoyle, Lindstrom J, Metcalfe NB (2006). Sexual selection, growth compensation and fast-start swimming performance in green swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Functional Ecology, 20(4), 662-669.

NJRoyle, Lindstrom J, Metcalfe NB (2005). A poor start in life negatively affects dominance status in adulthood independent of body size in green swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 272(1575), 1917-1922.

Metcalfe, N.B. Royle, N.J. (2005). How are animals with ornaments predicted to compensate for a bad start in life? a dynamic optimization approach. Functional Ecology, 19, 421-428.

Hartley, I.R. Parker, G.A. (2004). Parental investment and family dynamics: Interactions between theory and empirical tests. Population Ecology, 46, 231-241

Surai, P.F. Hartley, I.R. (2003). The effect of variation in dietary intake on maternal deposition of antioxidants in zebra finch eggs. Functional Ecology, 17(4), 472-481.

Parker, G.A. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Begging for control: when are offspring solicitation behaviours honest?. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(9), 434-440.

Royle, N.J. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Begging scrambles with unequal chicks: interactions between need and competitive ability. Ecology Letters, 5, 206-215.

Royle, N.J. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Intra-familial conflict and parental investment: a synthesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 357, 295-307.

NJRoyle, Hartley IR, Parker GA (2002). Sexual conflict reduces offspring fitness in zebra finches. Nature, 416(6882), 733-736.

NJRoyle, Hartley IR, Surai PF (2001). Maternally derived androgens and antioxidants in bird eggs: complementary but opposing effects? . Behavioral Ecology, 12(4), 381-385.

Surai PF, Royle NJ, Sparks NH (2000). Fatty acid, carotenoid and vitamin a composition of tissues of free living gulls. Comp Biochem Physiol a Mol Integr Physiol, 126(3), 387-396. Abstract. Author URL.

Hartley IR, Royle NJ, Shepherd M (2000). Growth rates of nestling Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra in relation to their sex. Ibis, 142(4), 668-671.

Royle N (2000). Overproduction in the lesser black-backed gull - can marginal chicks overcome the initial handicap of hatching asynchrony?. Journal of Avian Biology, 31(3), 335-344.

In response to unpredictability of both food availability and core offspring failure, parents of many avian species initially produce more offspring than they commonly rear (overproduction). When parental investment is insufficient to raise the whole brood the handicap of hatching last means 'marginal' chicks are less likely to survive if brood reduction occurs. Conversely, if marginal offspring are required as replacements for failed 'core' chicks, or parental investment is sufficient to rear the whole brood, the handicap imposed on marginal chicks must be reversible if overproduction is to be a viable strategy. I investigated the ability of marginal offspring to overcome the handicap imposed by hatching asynchrony using a combination of a field experiment, designed to manipulate both the amount of total competition and the relative competitive ability of chicks within a brood, and data on the growth and survival of unmanipulated, three-chick broods from three consecutive years. The results indicate that, even when resources are abundant, marginal offspring do not begin to overcome the competitive handicap imposed by hatching asynchrony until the period of growth when energetic requirements reach their peak, and subsequent survival to fledging is almost assured. This is apparently a consequence of parents controlling allocation of early parental investment, so that any brood reduction 'decisions' can be left as late as possible. Marginal chicks initially channel resources into maintaining mass, relative to skeletal size, as a buffer against starvation. However this also means competitiveness is reduced, so if conditions are poor marginal chicks are rapidly out-competed, lose condition and die. Conversely, when food availability is good marginal offspring devote more resources to skeletal growth and quickly close the gap on their core siblings, meaning the handicap is reversible. The benefits of overproduction and hatching asynchrony as reproductive strategies to maximise success in Lesser Black-backed Gulls are discussed in relation to the reproductive alternatives.

Abstract.

Royle NJ, Surai PF, McCartney RJ, Speake BK (1999). Parental investment and egg yolk lipid composition in gulls. Functional Ecology, 13(3), 298-306. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Hartley IR, Owens IPF, Parker GA (1999). Sibling competition and the evolution of growth rates in birds. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 266(1422), 923-932. Abstract.

Royle NJ, Hamer KC (1998). Hatching asynchrony and sibling size hierarchies in gulls: Effects on parental investment decisions, brood reduction and reproductive success. Journal of Avian Biology, 29(3), 266-272. Abstract.

Chapters

Royle NJ, Orledge JM, Blount JD (2015). Early Life-History Effects, Oxidative Stress, and the Evolution and Expression of Animal Signals. In (Ed) Animal Signaling and Function: an Integrative Approach, 11-46. Abstract.

Wolf JB, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2014). Genotype-by-Environment Interactions when the Social Environment Contains Genes. In (Ed) Genotype-by-Environment Interactions and Sexual Selection, 63-97. Abstract.

Royle, N.J. (2007). Sexual conflict and its implications for fitness. In Jamieson BGM (Ed) Reproductive biology and phylogeny of Aves (birds).

Publications by year

In Press

Royle NJ, Smiseth PT, Kölliker M (eds)(In Press). The Evolution of Parental Care., Oxford University Press. Abstract.

2020

Houslay TM, Kitchener PA, Royle NJ (2020). Are older parents less flexible? Testing age-dependent plasticity in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Animal Behaviour, 162, 79-86.

2019

Royle N, Houslay T, Kitchener P (2019). Houslay et al_Age-dependent plasticity_Animal Behaviour.

2018

Smiseth PT, Royle NJ (2018). The resolution of conflict in families. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 28, 8-12. Abstract.

2017

Royle NJ, Hopwood PE (2017). Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 49, 101-146. Abstract.

2016

Royle NJ (2016). Constraints and clutch size: a comment on Paquet and Smiseth. Behavioral Ecology, 27(3), 697-698.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Tregenza T, Royle NJ (2016). Niche variation and the maintenance of variation in body size in a burying beetle. Ecological Entomology, 41(1), 96-104. Abstract.

Royle NJ (2016). Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop. Current Biology, 26(11), R478-R480. Abstract.

2015

Carter MJ, Head ML, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2015). Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles. Evolution, 69(4), 969-978. Abstract.

2014

Lee VE, Head ML, Carter MJ, Royle NJ (2014). Effects of age and experience on contest behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. Behav Ecol, 25(1), 172-179. Abstract. Author URL.

Royle NJ (2014). Everybody has a social life. Can social network analysis help us understand why not just how? Comment on Pinter-Wollman et al. Behavioral Ecology, 25(2), 256-257.

Royle NJ, Russell AF, Wilson AJ (2014). The evolution of flexible parenting. Science, 345(6198), 776-781. Abstract. Author URL.

2013

Harold S, Wong Y, Baguette M, Bonsall MB, Clobert J, Royle NJ, Settele J (2013). BMC Ecology image competition: the winning images. BMC Ecol, 13 Abstract. Author URL.

Royle NJ, Hopwood PE, Head ML (2013). Burying beetles. Curr Biol, 23(20), R907-R909. Author URL.

Benowitz KM, Head ML, Williams CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance. Proc Biol Sci, 280(1767). Author URL.

Benowitz KM, Head ML, Williams CA, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance. Proc Biol Sci, 280(1764). Abstract. Author URL.

Hopwood PE, Moore AJ, Royle NJ (2013). Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles. Functional Ecology

2012

Abstract.

Royle NJ, Pike TW, Heeb P, Richner H, Kölliker M (2012). Offspring social network structure predicts fitness in families. Proc Biol Sci, 279(1749), 4914-4922. Abstract. Author URL.

Archer CR, Sakaluk SK, Selman C, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2012). Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution

Head ML, Berry LK, Royle NJ, Moore AJ (2012). Paternal Care: Direct and Indirect Genetic Effects of Fathers on Offspring Performance. Evolution, 66(11), 3570-3581. Abstract.

Head ML, Berry LK, Royle NJ, Moore AJ, Moore AJ (2012). Paternal care: Direct and indirect genetic effects of fathers on offspring performance. Evolution Abstract.

Archer CR, Zajitschek F, Sakaluk SK, Royle NJ, Hunt J (2012). Sexual selection affects the evolution of lifespan and ageing in the decorated cricket gryllodes sigillatus. Evolution

2011

Royle N, Pike T (2011). Do you think you're sexy?. Planet Earth(SUMMER), 6-7. Abstract.

Schuett W, Dall SRX, Royle NJ (2011). Pairs of zebra finches with similar “personalities” make better parents. ANIM BEHAV, 81, 609-618. Abstract.

2010

Royle NJ, Schuett W, Dall SRX (2010). Behavioural consistency and the resolution of sexual conflict over parental care. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, 21, 1125-1130.

Walling CA, Royle NJ, Lindström J, Metcalfe NB (2010). Do female association preferences predict the likelihood of reproduction?. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(4), 541-548. Abstract.

Hall ME, Blount JD, Forbes S, Royle NJ (2010). Does oxidative stress mediate the trade-off between growth and self-maintenance in structured families?. Functional Ecology, 24(2), 365-373.

Abstract.

Royle NJ, Pike TW (2010). Social feedback and attractiveness in zebra finches. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(12), 2015-2020. Abstract.

2009

Archer CR, Royle N, South S, Selman C, Hunt J (2009). Nutritional geometry provides food for thought. J Gerontol a Biol Sci Med Sci, 64(9), 956-959. Abstract. Author URL.

2008

Samanta, M. Lindström, J. Royle, N.J. (2008). Behavioural phenotype affects social interactions in an animal social network. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 275, 2515-2520.

Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2008). Context-dependent mate choice in relation to social composition in green swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Behavioral Ecology, 19, 998-1005.

Royle, N.J. Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2008). Experience-induced preference for short-sworded males in the green swordtail Xiphophorus helleri. Animal Behaviour, 76, 271-276.

Harris, W.E. Royle, N.J. (2008). The capture of heritable variation for genetic quality through social competition. Genetica, 134, 89-97.

2007

Royle, N.J. Metcalfe, N.B. Lindström, J. (2007). Green swordtails alter their age at maturation in response to the population level of male ornamentation. Biology Letters, 3, 144-146.

Royle, N.J. (2007). Sexual conflict and its implications for fitness. In Jamieson BGM (Ed) Reproductive biology and phylogeny of Aves (birds).

2006

Hartley, I.R. Parker, G.A. (2006). Consequences of biparental care for begging and growth in zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata. Animal Behaviour, 72, 123-130

Lindström, J. Metcalfe, N.B. (2006). Effect of growth compensation on subsequent physical fitness in green swordtails Xiphophrus helleri. Biology Letters, 2(1), 39-42.

NJRoyle, Lindstrom J, Metcalfe NB (2006). Sexual selection, growth compensation and fast-start swimming performance in green swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Functional Ecology, 20(4), 662-669.

2005

Metcalfe, N.B. Royle, N.J. (2005). How are animals with ornaments predicted to compensate for a bad start in life? a dynamic optimization approach. Functional Ecology, 19, 421-428.

2004

Hartley, I.R. Parker, G.A. (2004). Parental investment and family dynamics: Interactions between theory and empirical tests. Population Ecology, 46, 231-241

2003

Surai, P.F. Hartley, I.R. (2003). The effect of variation in dietary intake on maternal deposition of antioxidants in zebra finch eggs. Functional Ecology, 17(4), 472-481.

2002

Parker, G.A. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Begging for control: when are offspring solicitation behaviours honest?. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 17(9), 434-440.

Royle, N.J. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Begging scrambles with unequal chicks: interactions between need and competitive ability. Ecology Letters, 5, 206-215.

Royle, N.J. Hartley, I.R. (2002). Intra-familial conflict and parental investment: a synthesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 357, 295-307.

NJRoyle, Hartley IR, Parker GA (2002). Sexual conflict reduces offspring fitness in zebra finches. Nature, 416(6882), 733-736.

2001

NJRoyle, Hartley IR, Surai PF (2001). Maternally derived androgens and antioxidants in bird eggs: complementary but opposing effects? . Behavioral Ecology, 12(4), 381-385.

2000

Hartley IR, Royle NJ, Shepherd M (2000). Growth rates of nestling Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra in relation to their sex. Ibis, 142(4), 668-671.

Royle N (2000). Overproduction in the lesser black-backed gull - can marginal chicks overcome the initial handicap of hatching asynchrony?. Journal of Avian Biology, 31(3), 335-344.

Abstract.

1999

Royle NJ, Surai PF, McCartney RJ, Speake BK (1999). Parental investment and egg yolk lipid composition in gulls. Functional Ecology, 13(3), 298-306. Abstract.

1998

nicholas_royle Details from cache as at 2023-03-22 01:08:36

Refresh publications

Teaching

I am involved with teaching on the following modules in 2021/22:

BIO2430 Behavioural Ecology
BIO3136 Research Project
BIO3413 Animal Life Histories
BIO3419 Yukon-Alaska field course
BIOM052 MSci Research Project
BIOM4019 MSc Africa Behavioural Ecology field course

Modules

2022/23

BIO3413 - Animal Life Histories

Supervision / Group

Alumni

Ruth Archer
Kyle Benowitz
Mauricio Carter
Bea Downing
Maggie Hall
Megan Head
Paul Hopwood
Geoffrey Mazue
Josie Orledge

Back | Edit Profile

Nick

profile

Dr Nick Royle

Associate Professor in Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology

Overview

Qualifications

Career

Research group links

Research

Research interests

Research projects

Research networks

Research grants

Publications

Key publications

Abstract:Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles

Abstract:Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles.

Abstract:Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour

Abstract:Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour.

Publications by category

Books

Abstract:The Evolution of Parental Care

Journal articles

Abstract:The role of indirect genetic effects in the evolution of interacting reproductive behaviors in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides

Abstract:The resolution of conflict in families

Abstract:Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

Abstract:Do female Nicrophorus vespilloides reduce direct costs by choosing males that mate less frequently?

Abstract:Niche variation and the maintenance of variation in body size in a burying beetle

Abstract:Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop

Abstract:Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles

Abstract:Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles.

Abstract:Male burying beetles extend, not reduce, parental care duration when reproductive competition is high.

Abstract:Testing the Effects of DL-Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation on Oxidative Damage, Total Antioxidant Protection and the Sex-Specific Responses of Reproductive Effort and Lifespan to Dietary Manipulation in Australian Field Crickets (Teleogryllus commodus).

Abstract:Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour

Abstract:Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour.

Abstract:Effects of age and experience on contest behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:The evolution of flexible parenting.

Abstract:BMC Ecology image competition: the winning images.

Abstract:Environmental transmission of a personality trait: Foster parent exploration behaviour predicts offspring exploration behaviour in zebra finches

Abstract:Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance

Abstract:Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance.

Abstract:Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles

Abstract:Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus

Abstract:Antioxidant supplementation during early development reduces parasite load but does not affect sexual ornament expression in adult ring-necked pheasants

Abstract:Offspring social network structure predicts fitness in families.

Abstract:Paternal Care: Direct and Indirect Genetic Effects of Fathers on Offspring Performance

Abstract:Paternal care: Direct and indirect genetic effects of fathers on offspring performance

Abstract:Sexual selection affects the evolution of lifespan and ageing in the decorated cricket gryllodes sigillatus

Abstract:Do you think you're sexy?

Abstract:MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a simple tool to determine the phospholipid/glycolipid composition of sperm: pheasant spermatozoa as one selected example.

Abstract:Pairs of zebra finches with similar “personalities” make better parents

Abstract:Patterns of egg yolk antioxidant co-variation in an avian brood parasite-host system

Abstract:Do female association preferences predict the likelihood of reproduction?

Abstract:Does oxidative stress mediate the trade-off between growth and self-maintenance in structured families?

Abstract:Social feedback and attractiveness in zebra finches

Abstract:Nutritional geometry provides food for thought.

Abstract:Fatty acid, carotenoid and vitamin a composition of tissues of free living gulls.

Abstract:Overproduction in the lesser black-backed gull - can marginal chicks overcome the initial handicap of hatching asynchrony?

Abstract:Parental investment and egg yolk lipid composition in gulls

Abstract:Sibling competition and the evolution of growth rates in birds

Abstract:Hatching asynchrony and sibling size hierarchies in gulls: Effects on parental investment decisions, brood reduction and reproductive success

Chapters

Abstract:Early Life-History Effects, Oxidative Stress, and the Evolution and Expression of Animal Signals

Abstract:Genotype-by-Environment Interactions when the Social Environment Contains Genes

Publications by year

In Press

Abstract:The Evolution of Parental Care

2020

2019

Abstract:The role of indirect genetic effects in the evolution of interacting reproductive behaviors in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides

2018

Abstract:The resolution of conflict in families

2017

Abstract:Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

Abstract:
Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:
Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles.

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour.

Abstract:
The Evolution of Parental Care

Abstract:
The role of indirect genetic effects in the evolution of interacting reproductive behaviors in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides

Abstract:
The resolution of conflict in families

Abstract:
Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:
Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

Abstract:
Do female Nicrophorus vespilloides reduce direct costs by choosing males that mate less frequently?

Abstract:
Niche variation and the maintenance of variation in body size in a burying beetle

Abstract:
Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop

Abstract:
Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles.

Abstract:
Male burying beetles extend, not reduce, parental care duration when reproductive competition is high.

Abstract:
Testing the Effects of DL-Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation on Oxidative Damage, Total Antioxidant Protection and the Sex-Specific Responses of Reproductive Effort and Lifespan to Dietary Manipulation in Australian Field Crickets (Teleogryllus commodus).

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour.

Abstract:
Effects of age and experience on contest behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:
Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:
Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:
The evolution of flexible parenting.

Abstract:
BMC Ecology image competition: the winning images.

Abstract:
Environmental transmission of a personality trait: Foster parent exploration behaviour predicts offspring exploration behaviour in zebra finches

Abstract:
Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance

Abstract:
Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance.

Abstract:
Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles

Abstract:
Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus

Abstract:
Antioxidant supplementation during early development reduces parasite load but does not affect sexual ornament expression in adult ring-necked pheasants

Abstract:
Offspring social network structure predicts fitness in families.

Abstract:
Paternal Care: Direct and Indirect Genetic Effects of Fathers on Offspring Performance

Abstract:
Paternal care: Direct and indirect genetic effects of fathers on offspring performance

Abstract:
Sexual selection affects the evolution of lifespan and ageing in the decorated cricket gryllodes sigillatus

Abstract:
Do you think you're sexy?

Abstract:
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a simple tool to determine the phospholipid/glycolipid composition of sperm: pheasant spermatozoa as one selected example.

Abstract:
Pairs of zebra finches with similar “personalities” make better parents

Abstract:
Patterns of egg yolk antioxidant co-variation in an avian brood parasite-host system

Abstract:
Do female association preferences predict the likelihood of reproduction?

Abstract:
Does oxidative stress mediate the trade-off between growth and self-maintenance in structured families?

Abstract:
Social feedback and attractiveness in zebra finches

Abstract:
Nutritional geometry provides food for thought.

Abstract:
Fatty acid, carotenoid and vitamin a composition of tissues of free living gulls.

Abstract:
Overproduction in the lesser black-backed gull - can marginal chicks overcome the initial handicap of hatching asynchrony?

Abstract:
Parental investment and egg yolk lipid composition in gulls

Abstract:
Sibling competition and the evolution of growth rates in birds

Abstract:
Hatching asynchrony and sibling size hierarchies in gulls: Effects on parental investment decisions, brood reduction and reproductive success

Abstract:
Early Life-History Effects, Oxidative Stress, and the Evolution and Expression of Animal Signals

Abstract:
Genotype-by-Environment Interactions when the Social Environment Contains Genes

Abstract:
The Evolution of Parental Care

Abstract:
The role of indirect genetic effects in the evolution of interacting reproductive behaviors in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides

Abstract:
The resolution of conflict in families

Abstract:
Covetable Corpses and Plastic Beetles—The Socioecological Behavior of Burying Beetles

Abstract:
Variation in Reproductive Success Across Captive Populations: Methodological Differences, Potential Biases and Opportunities

Abstract:
Do female Nicrophorus vespilloides reduce direct costs by choosing males that mate less frequently?

Abstract:
Niche variation and the maintenance of variation in body size in a burying beetle

Abstract:
Parental Care: When the Sex Has to Stop

Abstract:
Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles

Abstract:
Behavioral plasticity and G × E of reproductive tactics in Nicrophorus vespilloides burying beetles.

Abstract:
Early Life-History Effects, Oxidative Stress, and the Evolution and Expression of Animal Signals

Abstract:
Male burying beetles extend, not reduce, parental care duration when reproductive competition is high.

Abstract:
Testing the Effects of DL-Alpha-Tocopherol Supplementation on Oxidative Damage, Total Antioxidant Protection and the Sex-Specific Responses of Reproductive Effort and Lifespan to Dietary Manipulation in Australian Field Crickets (Teleogryllus commodus).

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour

Abstract:
Correlated evolution in parental care in females but not males in response to selection on paternity assurance behaviour.

Abstract:
Effects of age and experience on contest behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Abstract:
Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:
Effects of resource variation during early life and adult social environment on contest outcomes in burying beetles: a context-dependent silver spoon strategy?

Abstract:
Genotype-by-Environment Interactions when the Social Environment Contains Genes

Abstract:
The evolution of flexible parenting.

Abstract:
BMC Ecology image competition: the winning images.

Abstract:
Environmental transmission of a personality trait: Foster parent exploration behaviour predicts offspring exploration behaviour in zebra finches

Abstract:
Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance

Abstract:
Male age mediates reproductive investment and response to paternity assurance.

Abstract:
Nutrition during sexual maturation affects competitive ability but not reproductive productivity in burying beetles

Abstract:
Oxidative stress and the evolution of sex differences in life span and ageing in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus

Abstract:
Antioxidant supplementation during early development reduces parasite load but does not affect sexual ornament expression in adult ring-necked pheasants

Abstract:
Offspring social network structure predicts fitness in families.