Tim Caro
Evolutionary behavioral ecology and practical conservation biology
Research Areas 2024
1. Coloration in mammals. I study the evolution of coloration in mammals from several angles. I use comparative methods to uncover the ecological drivers of camouflage, warning coloration, signaling and physiological factors in driving coat coloration in many mammalian orders. With collaborators, Ted Stankowich and Catherine Sheard, we model how contrasting fur coloration is viewed by predators and conspecifics. Building on a decade of research as to why zebras have stripes, I study the mechanism by which tabanid flies avoid landing on striped horse coats in the field but I also have ongoing lab-based projects on natal coat coloration, bear chest patches, rodent countershading, and want to start a project on lemur coloration.
2. Antipredator defenses in crabs. With Cameron Mackey, I study the evolution of coloration in crabs matching the patterning and coloration to ecological variables across species. With Rahel Sollmann and Vicky Zink-Watson, I study the population biology and red/blue genetic color polymorphism of coconut crabs on Zanzibar. I am starting a project on decorator crabs in the Channel Islands, UK.
3. Zanzibar. I carry out annual fieldwork studying the population ecology of coconut crabs and Pemba flying foxes and advise the government on how to maintain these vulnerable species. I am involved in team-research on how community-based and government-led conservation schemes protect forest patches on Zanzibar.
4. Other. I have a book monograph in press on the The Colors of Mammals: Evolution, Development, Perception, and Culture with Chicago that synthesizes functional and genetic approaches.
I have an active research agenda and am always interested in taking on students at the University of Bristol, UK to work on any of these projects, and on collaborating with postdocs.
Written and edited by Tim Caro
