Megan Petersdorf
@meganpetersdorf.bsky.social
new orleans 🎭 • postdoc • biologist • anthropologist • science communicator • studying the sex lives of monkeys 🐒 • living with long covid • she/her 🏳️🌈
Pinned
🚨 New paper! 🚨
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
🚨Two funded PhDs on the evolutionary ecology of antipredator colouration 🦋 with myself and Iliana Medina.
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
December 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
🚨Two funded PhDs on the evolutionary ecology of antipredator colouration 🦋 with myself and Iliana Medina.
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Behavioral data can be very detailed but are usually aggregated and normalized in ways that smother the dynamics. Ben wrote a continuous-time Markov model to improve on this, and also wrote simulations for exploring and validating pipelines. All the code is here: github.com/BenKawam/ASN...
New paper!
We propose a framework to empirically study animal social relationships by modelling social network (SN) data as time-series—that is, without the need to aggregate them over time.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We propose a framework to empirically study animal social relationships by modelling social network (SN) data as time-series—that is, without the need to aggregate them over time.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Behavioral data can be very detailed but are usually aggregated and normalized in ways that smother the dynamics. Ben wrote a continuous-time Markov model to improve on this, and also wrote simulations for exploring and validating pipelines. All the code is here: github.com/BenKawam/ASN...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Come and join our lab! We have TWO fully funded PhD positions AND a paid field assistant opportunity in our Behavioral Ecology group @uni-goettingen.de & @primatenzentrum.bsky.social. Projects will be part of @rtg2906-curiosity.bsky.social & @sfb1528.bsky.social!!
Details in thread. Please re-post!
Details in thread. Please re-post!
November 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Come and join our lab! We have TWO fully funded PhD positions AND a paid field assistant opportunity in our Behavioral Ecology group @uni-goettingen.de & @primatenzentrum.bsky.social. Projects will be part of @rtg2906-curiosity.bsky.social & @sfb1528.bsky.social!!
Details in thread. Please re-post!
Details in thread. Please re-post!
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Apply now for a NERC-funded PhD position with @andyradford.bsky.social & Patrick Kennedy at @bristolbiosci.bsky.social (with me as friendly 2nd supervisor down the road in @crab-exeter.bsky.social). Network cognition, cooperation, competition...what's not to like?
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Funded PhD NERC GW4+ DLTP - Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges at University of Bristol on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Funded PhD NERC GW4+ DLTP - Social monitoring and manipulation of cooperative exchanges at University of Bristol, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Apply now for a NERC-funded PhD position with @andyradford.bsky.social & Patrick Kennedy at @bristolbiosci.bsky.social (with me as friendly 2nd supervisor down the road in @crab-exeter.bsky.social). Network cognition, cooperation, competition...what's not to like?
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Excited to share our methods preprint on CapuchinAI! 🐒💻
We built a field touchscreen + real-time facial recognition system (YOLOv7) that lets wild capuchins “log in” and complete individualized cognitive tasks.
@emoryuniversity.bsky.social @gatechengineers.bsky.social
#PrimateCognition #AI
We built a field touchscreen + real-time facial recognition system (YOLOv7) that lets wild capuchins “log in” and complete individualized cognitive tasks.
@emoryuniversity.bsky.social @gatechengineers.bsky.social
#PrimateCognition #AI
December 1, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Excited to share our methods preprint on CapuchinAI! 🐒💻
We built a field touchscreen + real-time facial recognition system (YOLOv7) that lets wild capuchins “log in” and complete individualized cognitive tasks.
@emoryuniversity.bsky.social @gatechengineers.bsky.social
#PrimateCognition #AI
We built a field touchscreen + real-time facial recognition system (YOLOv7) that lets wild capuchins “log in” and complete individualized cognitive tasks.
@emoryuniversity.bsky.social @gatechengineers.bsky.social
#PrimateCognition #AI
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Our next video in the series "Preserving knowledge of endemic species in #Madagascar through storytelling"
features #Ranomafana wildlife expert RAKOTOVAO Remi, who has studied #lemurs since 1994! He shares his experiences AND some bird calls!
You can view Remi’s video here: lnkd.in/gH9xpqBi
features #Ranomafana wildlife expert RAKOTOVAO Remi, who has studied #lemurs since 1994! He shares his experiences AND some bird calls!
You can view Remi’s video here: lnkd.in/gH9xpqBi
RAKOTOVAO Remi | Research Techs | Preserving knowledge of endemic species in Madagascar
YouTube video by Centre ValBio
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Our next video in the series "Preserving knowledge of endemic species in #Madagascar through storytelling"
features #Ranomafana wildlife expert RAKOTOVAO Remi, who has studied #lemurs since 1994! He shares his experiences AND some bird calls!
You can view Remi’s video here: lnkd.in/gH9xpqBi
features #Ranomafana wildlife expert RAKOTOVAO Remi, who has studied #lemurs since 1994! He shares his experiences AND some bird calls!
You can view Remi’s video here: lnkd.in/gH9xpqBi
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Fully funded PhD studentship on human dominance hierarchies and non-verbal behaviour, with lead Eithne Kavanagh. Join us at NTU! @eithnekavanagh.bsky.social
www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-co...
www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-co...
Physiological health outcomes of dominance hierarchies in team-based contexts
Find out more about this fully funded PhD studentship opportunity.
www.ntu.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Fully funded PhD studentship on human dominance hierarchies and non-verbal behaviour, with lead Eithne Kavanagh. Join us at NTU! @eithnekavanagh.bsky.social
www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-co...
www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-co...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Interested in how life history may shape the gut microbiome of a wild mammal? Keen on getting to work with an iconic long-term study system in Scotland?
Check out this PhD opportunity with me, Josephine Pemberton and @gfalbery.bsky.social
Reach out to chat more!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this PhD opportunity with me, Josephine Pemberton and @gfalbery.bsky.social
Reach out to chat more!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Interested in how life history may shape the gut microbiome of a wild mammal? Keen on getting to work with an iconic long-term study system in Scotland?
Check out this PhD opportunity with me, Josephine Pemberton and @gfalbery.bsky.social
Reach out to chat more!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Check out this PhD opportunity with me, Josephine Pemberton and @gfalbery.bsky.social
Reach out to chat more!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Social relationships are powerful predictors of fitness across social animals. But *why*?
In our new @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social paper, we outline testable predictions for why relationship quality and quantity adaptively vary across socio-ecological contexts.
tinyurl.com/55dnkeh7
In our new @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social paper, we outline testable predictions for why relationship quality and quantity adaptively vary across socio-ecological contexts.
tinyurl.com/55dnkeh7
October 16, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Social relationships are powerful predictors of fitness across social animals. But *why*?
In our new @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social paper, we outline testable predictions for why relationship quality and quantity adaptively vary across socio-ecological contexts.
tinyurl.com/55dnkeh7
In our new @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social paper, we outline testable predictions for why relationship quality and quantity adaptively vary across socio-ecological contexts.
tinyurl.com/55dnkeh7
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Excited to introduce the Latent Layers Framework – now out in @behavecol.bsky.social – to help think through when and why network differences confound inference in (comparative) social network analysis! 🧵
tinyurl.com/3k3yahwy
tinyurl.com/3k3yahwy
November 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Excited to introduce the Latent Layers Framework – now out in @behavecol.bsky.social – to help think through when and why network differences confound inference in (comparative) social network analysis! 🧵
tinyurl.com/3k3yahwy
tinyurl.com/3k3yahwy
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Excited to share our new paper on the #social #structure of Rwenzori #colobus multi-male, multi-female core units! We found 3 different patterns but close #male #relationships in all that were long lasting! Paper is behind a paywall but contact us if you want a pdf. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
October 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Excited to share our new paper on the #social #structure of Rwenzori #colobus multi-male, multi-female core units! We found 3 different patterns but close #male #relationships in all that were long lasting! Paper is behind a paywall but contact us if you want a pdf. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
new article is up in full-text in #AJBA @bioanth.org! 🧪 💀
I predicted expression levels for skeletal sex indicators for 9 forms of #intersex, based on what we know ab these intersex variations (and which traits are most likely to affect bone growth, development, & remodeling) #SexualPolymorphism
I predicted expression levels for skeletal sex indicators for 9 forms of #intersex, based on what we know ab these intersex variations (and which traits are most likely to affect bone growth, development, & remodeling) #SexualPolymorphism
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
new article is up in full-text in #AJBA @bioanth.org! 🧪 💀
I predicted expression levels for skeletal sex indicators for 9 forms of #intersex, based on what we know ab these intersex variations (and which traits are most likely to affect bone growth, development, & remodeling) #SexualPolymorphism
I predicted expression levels for skeletal sex indicators for 9 forms of #intersex, based on what we know ab these intersex variations (and which traits are most likely to affect bone growth, development, & remodeling) #SexualPolymorphism
Can we give word limits not character limits because I am not able to visualize these limits
October 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Can we give word limits not character limits because I am not able to visualize these limits
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
October 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
“I hope people take away the fact that it is possible to have a different sort of life” - Jane Goodall
October 2, 2025 at 12:06 AM
“I hope people take away the fact that it is possible to have a different sort of life” - Jane Goodall
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
In 2016, Jane Goodall spoke at the International Primatological Society meetings. She closed her talk asking everyone to thank the primates we studied not with applause, but with their calls. And so a room full of Very Eminent Primatologists made delighted monkey noises to Jane Goodall. ⚱️🐒🧪🌍
October 1, 2025 at 11:06 PM
In 2016, Jane Goodall spoke at the International Primatological Society meetings. She closed her talk asking everyone to thank the primates we studied not with applause, but with their calls. And so a room full of Very Eminent Primatologists made delighted monkey noises to Jane Goodall. ⚱️🐒🧪🌍
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Do you love research & writing & all things animal behavior? Well our journal, Animal Behavior, recruiting up to 5 (count em!) new Associate Editors!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
ron burgundy from parks and recreation says " you 'd be a fool not to pick me "
ALT: ron burgundy from parks and recreation says " you 'd be a fool not to pick me "
media.tenor.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Do you love research & writing & all things animal behavior? Well our journal, Animal Behavior, recruiting up to 5 (count em!) new Associate Editors!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
We are hiring - PDRA position exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in killer whales. Collaboration with @samellisq.bsky.social @drwhale.bsky.social Prof Dan Franks (York) start 1st Nov (or ASAP) end 31st Oct 2028. Apps close on 19th Oct.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOT336/p...
So excited to see my first capuchin paper finally out in the world 🥳 grateful to all the wonderful co-authors!
🧪 #primates
🧪 #primates
🚨 New paper! 🚨
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
So excited to see my first capuchin paper finally out in the world 🥳 grateful to all the wonderful co-authors!
🧪 #primates
🧪 #primates
🚨 New paper! 🚨
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
🚨 New paper! 🚨
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🐒 White-faced capuchins experience high rates of infanticide.
🐒 Infanticide is costly to female reproduction.
🐒 Do females exhibit the Bruce effect (termination of pregnancy) to reduce these costs?
🐒 Spoiler: Nope!
Read more ▶️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
Complexly is looking to hire a Director of Development!
If you're interested, please review our job posting at Complexly.com/job and apply before Friday, October 17!
If you're interested, please review our job posting at Complexly.com/job and apply before Friday, October 17!
September 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Complexly is looking to hire a Director of Development!
If you're interested, please review our job posting at Complexly.com/job and apply before Friday, October 17!
If you're interested, please review our job posting at Complexly.com/job and apply before Friday, October 17!
Having a cute little 😊 moment with myself as I develop a new project. When I started grad school, the tools weren’t available to ask certain questions I was interested in. And now they are! And we’re asking them! Yay science.
September 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Having a cute little 😊 moment with myself as I develop a new project. When I started grad school, the tools weren’t available to ask certain questions I was interested in. And now they are! And we’re asking them! Yay science.
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
With many postdoc grants like the NSF PRFB, Ford Fellowship, and Hanna H. Gray fellowships disappearing, I am currently looking for grants that could fund incoming postdoctoral scholars. Here is a thread of some of them 🧵
July 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
With many postdoc grants like the NSF PRFB, Ford Fellowship, and Hanna H. Gray fellowships disappearing, I am currently looking for grants that could fund incoming postdoctoral scholars. Here is a thread of some of them 🧵
Reposted by Megan Petersdorf
what a fucking stupid time to be a person who cares about other people
August 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
what a fucking stupid time to be a person who cares about other people