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Rebecca Hayward

Full Name:

Miss Rebecca Hayward

Department:

Dept of Physics

Job Title:

Postgraduate student

E-mail Address:

R.K.Hayward@bath.ac.uk

Postal Address:

Miss Rebecca Hayward
Dept of Physics
University of Bath
Bath
BA2 7AY
United Kingdom

Research:

I am interested in work that aims to bridge the gap between an individual's behaviour and population or group-level phenomena. Social networks, an ideal tool for this type of research, are somewhat under-explored when it comes to characterising the structure and processes within animal groups. In many species it is virtually impossible to observe and record all the interactions needed to construct an appropriate network. The ant Temnothorax albipennis is an opportune exception; colonies nest between flat rock crevices making them easy to extract from the wild, whilst inside the laboratory the colony will reform its nest structure between two microscope slides. This provides the observer with a perfect viewpoint to study the sometimes mystifying events occurring within their tiny world.

The efficient distribution of resources is crucial inside an ant colony. In particular, the distribution of food to workers inside the nest after a period of starvation is vital to the survival of the colony. My PhD focuses on how the rock ant, Temnothorax albipennis, achieves such a feat without simultaneously compromising the security of the colony by spreading harmful substances.

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