Dr Todd Dennis, PhD & MSc (Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia), BSc (Biology, College of William and Mar

Lecturer in Movement and Spatial Ecology

Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour

Phone: 09-3737599 x87288
Thomas Building – Room 128
Email: t.dennis@auckland.ac.nz

Dr Todd Dennis and Tuatara friend

Research Interests

My research interests fall within the domains of movement, spatial, and behavioural ecology: how do animals use space, map their environments, and why and how do they respond to internal and external cues as they move through the space-time continuum? Using as model systems a variety of species inhabiting diverse environments (terrestrial, marine, and aerial), mathematical/empirical models, and geostatistical/geospatial analyses I investigate various questions (both basic and applied) relating to spatial cognition, navigation, migration, dispersal, translocation and other movement phenomena. Data in these studies are obtained mostly by remote-tracking technologies (GPS & ARGOS satellite telemetry, light-based geolocators). In all my research I rely heavily on methods of Geographic Information Science.

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Below are the major research areas and taxonomic groups with which I am presently working, however, potential students or collaborators interested in other species or study questions are encouraged to contact me.

  • movement/spatial ecology: characterisation and analysis of patterns of animal movement to answer questions about the principle drivers of behaviour, and/or help improve management/conservation efforts for invasive/ threatened species
  • models of animal movement: application of Bayesian and multivariate statistical methods to infer behavioural states and the factors that induce state-changes within the geospatial lifelines of animals
  • navigation, migration, and homing: identification of the cues and mechanisms animals use to find their way
  • satellite telemetry: operational characteristics of GPS and ARGOS PTT animal-tracking devices

Species with which I am currently working or plan on working with in the near future: mammals (possums, quolls), birds (procellariform seabirds, penguins, homing pigeons, waterfowl, gamebirds), fish (pelagic marine predators, rays), insects (honey bees, beetles).

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The ‘Movement Ecology’ Research Group

Much of my current research focuses on issues central to ‘movement ecology’ – an emerging scientific paradigm for studying all types of movement of all types of organisms (Nathan, PNAS, 2008). To facilitate development of this new discipline, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, several colleagues and I have started a ‘Movement Ecology Research Consortium’. The idea behind this group is to provide a venue for promoting collaborative research about various aspects of animal movement. Our objective is to create a means of sharing expertise, skills, data, labour, and equipment. For more information about this group contact me directly (see details above).

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Current Students

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Ms Jingjing Zhao
Honours Student: geomagnetic navigation

Ms Mo Wu
Summer Student: movement models of Westland petrels

Former Students and Topics

MSc

  • Gin Bell (with Mike Walker): homing behaviour of pigeons
  • Louisa Karika (with Mike Walker): GPS tracking of seabirds
  • Matt Rayner (with Mike Walker): geomagnetic navigation
  • Helen Blackie (with Mike Walker): spatial ecology of possums
  • Michael Anderson (with Diane Brunton): foraging behaviour of shorebirds
  • Tim Riding (with John Montgomery): rheotaxis in rays
  • Inigo Koefoed (with Mike Walker): factors affecting models of movement behaviour
  • Char LaCoursiere (with Mike Walker): the ‘core home-range’ concept
  • William Chen (with Mike Walker): inferential movement models
  • Erin Kennedy (with Mike Walker): movement ecology of possums
  • Shabana Shah (with Mike Walker): translocation ecology

PhD

  • Stephanie May (with Mick Clout): foraging ecology of kereru
  • Helen Blackie (with Mick Clout): dispersal ecology of possums
  • Tim Sippel (with John Montgomery): migratory patterns and movement models of striped marlin
  • Todd Landers (Mark Hauber was Supervisor, my role is Departmental Representative): migratory ecology of Westland petrels

Membership in professional organisations

Past or present member of the following organisations: American Ornithologist’s Union; Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour Cooper Ornithological Society; Ecological Society of America; Royal Institute of Navigation; The New Zealand Ecological Society; Wilson Ornithological Society

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