Animal behaviour is the most complex product of evolution of life on earth. There is a dazzling array of behavioural phenomena, varying infinitely across taxa, between individuals, and within individuals depending on external conditions and internal motivational state. While this variation is our primary source of inspiration, our research focuses on the temporal organisation of behaviour. Three domaines of temporal patterns are distinguished. One concerns ultradian patterns with periods in the order of a few hours, mostly governed by internal demands like digestive requirements.The second domain concerns circadian rhythms, with periods equal to or close to 24 h. The third domain is the domain of annual rhythms, with periods of about one year. In each of these time domains we work on a limited number of concrete research topics. We integrate causal, developmental, functional and evolutionary approaches, using both laboratory and field experiments. We maintain a variety of study systems, mostly vertebrates, to allow students to gain differentiated experience, and because diversity is at the core of animal behaviour. In all elements of research we exploit state-of-the-art techniques to maximize the rate of analytical progress and innovation.
Animal behaviour is strongly preprogrammed in a rhythmic fashion. This is true in particular for periodicities associated with cosmic cycles, such as circadian rhythms. We are interested in the control of such behavioral programs by central nervous pacemaker systems, and in the adaptive function conveyed by these pacemakers.
