My sphere of interests is two-fold. First, it concerns the origin and evolution of cooperation and sociality. Both ecological constraints and genetic factors are now recognised as key factors promoting the evolution of cooperation. H
owever, because individuals within a group are not genetically identical, societies are frequently the scene of reproductive conflicts as each member of the group may try to increase its own fitness at the expense of the others’ reproductive success. Such conflicts over reproduction are not favourable to cooperation. How genetic and environmental factors affect the evolution of cooperation is studied on various biological models, especially ants. These researches focus on the study of (1) the genetic structure of colonies and populations, and (2) the proximate (how?) and ultima
te (why?) causes of social conflicts and their resolution within societies. My second focus of interest concerns the evolution of reproductive strategies, through detailed analyses of mating systems, dispersal strategies and sex ratio variations. 

These works are based on a combination of ecological and behavioural studies under natural (field) and lab conditions, as well as on molecular analyses involving typing of microsatellite marker loci, flow cytometryic analyses, fluorescent sperm marking, or in situ hybridisation.

 

Animal Behaviour - Master I Biology of Organisms & Ecology

Proximate and ultimate causes of animal behaviour - Genetics of behaviour - Learning - Behavioral endocrinology - Neuroethology - Behavioural ecology (feeding, optimal foraging, defence et anti-predation) - Sexual selection and mating systems - Evolution of communication - Evolution of cooperation and social conflicts - Domestication: origin, evolution, genetic consequences and behavioural modifications.

Teaching - Courses given on a regular basis