Background
Present Ph.D. University of Lincoln, U.K.
The management of social relationships in wild Barbary macaques, Morocco.
2007 M.Res Primatology. Roehampton University, U.K.
Stress and sociality in male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), Cayo Santiago, Puerta Rico
2005 B.Sc Biology. Cardiff University, U.K.
Research Interests
Despite the clear advantages of group living, such as predator avoidance and improved food acquisition, individuals within the group also experience a number of costs. These costs include, for example, increased aggression and competition for resources. In line with this, the evolution of social behaviour in group living primates can partly be considered as a balancing act between the costs and benefits of group living. Broadly speaking, my research interests lie in the exploration of this relationship. More specifically, I am interested in how both ecological and cognitive factors affect social behaviour in non-human primates, the behavioural mechanisms used to manage social relationships, and the physiological costs and benefits of sociality.
Current Teaching and Responsibilities
I currently teach on the year two Research Skills 3 module. Responsibilities include supervising undergraduate research projects and conducting seminars and workshops in Statistics.
Recent publications & Conference papers
Publications
McFarland R, Majolo, B. (2011) Exploring the components, assymetry and distribution of relationship quality in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). PLoS ONE 6 (12): e28826.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028826
McFarland, R. & Majolo, B. (2011) Grooming Coercion and the Post-Conflict Trading of Social Services in Wild Barbary Macaques. PLoS ONE 6(10): e26893.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026893
McFarland, R. & Majolo, B. (2011). Reconciliation and the costs of aggression in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus): a test of the integrated hypothesis. Ethology, 117 . pp. 1-10. ISSN 0179-1613 .
Majolo, B. & McFarland, R (2009). Self-suckling in Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) mothers before and after the death of their infant.American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 140, 381-383.
Conference Proceedings
McFarland, R., & Majolo, B. (2011). The function of bystander affiliation in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). European Federation of Primatology, Almada, Portugal. Oral Presentation.
McFarland, R., & Majolo, B. (2011). Repairing relations or reaping rewards? The differential benefits of reconciliation in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Primate Society of Great Britain, Liverpool, U.K. Primate Eye 104, 16. Oral Presentation.
McFarland, R., & Majolo, B. (2010). Social relationships and conflict management in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Northern England Primate Group, Manchester, U.K. Oral Presentation.
McFarland, R., MacLarnon, A. & Semple, S. (2007). Stress and sociality in male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Primate Society of Great Britain, London, U.K. Poster, Primate Eye 98, 18.
Other Useful Links
The Primate Society of Great Britain
The International Primatological Society
The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Contact Details
School of Psychology
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
Lincoln
LN6 7TS
Email: rmcfarland@lincoln.ac.uk
Tel: 01522 837366