The gut microbiome has significant effects on human health and cognition. Research with laboratory rodents has similarly demonstrated that the gut microbiome influences learning, memory and diet selection, but only recent studies have started to investigate the behavioural effects of the gut microbiome in wild animal populations. This project investigates the role of the gut microbiome in predator-prey interactions, using great tits as a study species. Many prey species advertise their toxicity with conspicuous warning signals that predator learn to avoid. The aim of the project is to quantify whether consumption of toxic prey alters the predator gut microbiome, whether the gut microbiome is associated with predator avoidance learning, and how this influences selection pressures for prey defences. The results will increase our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary importance of microbiomes, and provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying animal behaviour.

2024

2027