Phenotypic responses and especially behavioural and life history traits result from the integration of phylogenetic constraints, physiological, genetic and cognitive mechanisms, with direct consequences on fitness. Thus the study of phenotype allows understanding how past selective pressures shape present individual phenotype and consequently helps apprehending the effects of environmental perturbations at the short (ecological) time-scale. Our group seeks to understand mechanisms (physiology, cognitive and genetics) and the adaptive value of phenotypic responses in their ecological context. The originality and the strength of the group rely on its ability to develop both experimental and theoretical approaches (for instance adaptive dynamics).

Key words: Behaviours, Behavioural syndrome, Adaptation, Information acquisition and integration, Decision making, Dispersal and habitat selection, Foraging, Ressource allocation, State-dependency, Plasticity, Sexual selection, Mating systems, Population dynamics and species coexistence, Experiments in lab and in the field, Theory, Birds, Marmots, Host-parasitoids interactions.