- A402, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584632
- mark.briffa@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Professor Mark Briffa
Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning)
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Professor Mark Briffa can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
- Animal behaviour
- Hermit crabs
- Animal communication
- Marine biology
- Animal aggression
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
- Associate Head of School (Teaching & Learning)
- Programme leader, BSc Marine Biology (from 2012-2017)
- Deputy programme leader, MRes Marine Biology (from 2012)
- Programme leader, MRes Marine Biology (2009 -2012)
- Deputy programme leader, BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology (2005-2009)
Qualifications
2016 Professor of Animal Behaviour, Plymouth University
2014 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
2012 Reader in Animal Behaviour, Plymouth University.
2005 PG Cert. Learning and teaching in higher education, Plymouth University.
2004 - 2012 Lecturer in Marine Biology, Plymouth University.
1999 - 2004 Post-Doc, Queen's University Belfast.
2013 Grade 1 Piano (Merit)
1995 - 1998 PhD in Animal Behaviour, Queen's University Belfast: "Communication during shell exchange in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus".
1991 - 1995 - BSc (Hons) Biology, First Class, University of Aberdeen.
Professional membership
- Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
- Marine Biological Association of the UK
Roles on external bodies
2009-2010 BBSRC Pool Committee member
2007 IRCSET (Irish Research Council) Embark Fellowships panel member (Earth Sciences)
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Lecturing on:
- Biology 1 (BIO012)
- Issues in Marine Biology (MBIO001)
- Biology of Sex (BIOL124PP)
- Marine Biology Field Course (MBIO101)
- Evolution & Biodiversity (MBIO122)
- Experimental Marine Biology Field Course (MBIO212)
- Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats (MBIO217)
- Methods in Marine Biology (MBIO223)
- Behavioural Ecology (MBIO317)
- Physiology & Behaviour of Marine Animals (MBIO340)
Staff serving as external examiners
2011 - 2015: MSc Conservation & Behaviour, Manchester Metropolitan University
2016 - 2019: MSc Animal Behaviour & Welfare, Queen's University Belfast
Research
Research
Research interests
Contest behaviour in animals, especially 'Shell rapping' in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus and the beadlet sea anemone Actinia equina. I am interested in how fighting animals make decisions to initiate and fight and to withdraw from a fight and how these decisions might be influenced by consistent among individual variation in behaviour. I am also interested in understanding among individual variation in behaviour more generally.
If you would like to do your honours or masters project with me, these are areas that I usually supervise projects in.
1) Animal contests - How do animals decide what to do in a fight? What makes some individuals better at fighting than others?
2) Vacancy chains - Do vacant resources transit through populations and what can disrupt this process?
3) Animal personalities - Is between individual variation in behaviour adaptive?
4) Human impacts - Can we detect signals of human impacts on the environment in animal behaviour?
Mainly using hermit crabs and sea anemones but also options to work on other crabs, marine snails, amphipods, seaweed flies, ants.
Grants & contracts
2019-2021 BBSRC BB/S004742/1 The role of skill in animal contests (PI) £295,000
2016-2019 MARES full time PhD studentship. (PI) £60,000 approx.
2015-2018 BBSRC BB/M019772/1 The role of additive and non-additive genetic effects during animal contests in the beadlet sea anemone Actinia equina. (PI) £252,600.
2013-2017 CAPES /CNPq (Brazillian Government) Science Without Borders PhD Studentship (PI) >£100K
2008-2011 BBSRC F014147 Aggression in social animals: Effects of group size, resource holding potential and costs of fighting on the outcome of battles (PI) £225,263.
2015-2018 BBSRC BB/M019772/1 The role of additive and non-additive genetic effects during animal contests in the beadlet sea anemone Actinia equina. (PI) £252,600.
2013-2017 CAPES /CNPq (Brazillian Government) Science Without Borders PhD Studentship (PI) >£100K
2008-2011 BBSRC F014147 Aggression in social animals: Effects of group size, resource holding potential and costs of fighting on the outcome of battles (PI) £225,263.
2010 Royal Society International Travel Grant £2265
2007-2010 Marine Institute full time PhD studentship. (PI) £45,000 approx.
2005-2007 Nuffield Foundation New Lecturer Award. Use of repeated signals by animals. (PI) £5000.
2005-2008 Faculty of Science full time PhD studentship. (PI) £48,000 approx.
2002-2005 BBSRC S16861 Motivation and the underlying causation of aggressive behaviour. (RI) £136,472.
1999-2002 BBSRC S11459 The functions of repeated aggressive signals. (RI) £104,960.
2007-2010 Marine Institute full time PhD studentship. (PI) £45,000 approx.
2005-2007 Nuffield Foundation New Lecturer Award. Use of repeated signals by animals. (PI) £5000.
2005-2008 Faculty of Science full time PhD studentship. (PI) £48,000 approx.
2002-2005 BBSRC S16861 Motivation and the underlying causation of aggressive behaviour. (RI) £136,472.
1999-2002 BBSRC S11459 The functions of repeated aggressive signals. (RI) £104,960.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2022) 'Under the influence of light: How light pollution disrupts personality and metabolism in hermit crabs' Environmental Pollution , DOI Open access
(2022) 'When should we ascribe sentience to animals? A commentary on “Hermit crabs, shells and sentience” (Elwood 2022)' Animal Cognition , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Size specific boldness associated with differences in resource requirements and habitat use: A cross-sectional study in hermit crabs' Current Zoology , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Male song stability shows cross‐year repeatability but does not affect reproductive success in a wild passerine bird' Journal of Animal Ecology , DOI Open access
(2022) 'The angle of attack: rapping technique predicts skill in hermit crab contests' Animal Behaviour 187, 55-61 , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Beyond spider personality: The relationships between behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors' Ecology and Evolution 11, (7) 2974-2989 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Assessment during Intergroup Contests' Trends in Ecology and Evolution 36, (2) 139-150 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Perceived and actual fighting ability: determinants of success by decision, knockout or submission in human combat sports' Biology Letters 16, (10) 20200443-20200443 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Microplastic exposure increases predictability of predator avoidance strategies in hermit crabs' Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters 1, , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Evidence of fostering in an internally brooding sea anemone' Ethology 126, (12) 1141-1147 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'The role of spatial accuracy and precision in hermit crab contests' Animal Behaviour 167, 111-118 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Using ternary plots to investigate continuous variation in animal contest strategies' Animal Behaviour , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Clam feeding plasticity reduces herbivore vulnerability to ocean warming and acidification' Nature Climate Change , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Analysis of direct and indirect genetic effects in fighting sea anemones' Behavioral Ecology 31, (2) 540-547 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'The point of the triangle and utility of repeated measures: a response to comments on Chapin et al' Behavioral Ecology 30, (5) 1191-1192 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Further mismeasures of animal contests: a new framework for assessment strategies' Behavioral Ecology 30, (5) 1177-1185 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Fear alone reduces energy processing by resident ‘keystone’ prey threatened by an invader; a non-consumptive effect of ‘killer shrimp’ invasion of freshwater ecosystems is revealed' Acta Oecologica 98, 1-5 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Distracted decision makers: ship noise and predation risk change shell choice in hermit crabs' Behavioral Ecology , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Anthropogenic noise pollution reverses grouping behaviour in hermit crabs' Animal Behaviour 151, 113-120 , DOI Open access
(2018) 'How does the environment affect fighting? The interaction between extrinsic fighting ability and resource value during contests' Journal of Experimental Biology , DOI Open access
(2017) 'The role of skill in animal contests: a neglected component of fighting ability' Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 284, (1863) , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Boldness is for rookies: prefight boldness and fighting success in a sea anemone' Animal Behaviour 132, 13-20 , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Animal behaviour: a very short introduction' Animal Behaviour 130, 175-175 , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Physiological responses to ocean acidification and warming synergistically reduce condition of the common cockle Cerastoderma edule' Marine Environmental Research , DOI Open access
(2017) 'How does environment influence fighting? The effects of tidal flow on resource value and fighting costs in sea anemones' Biology Letters 13, (5) 20170011-20170011 , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Motor pattern during fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus: evidence for the role of skill in animal contests' Animal Behaviour , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Abandoning animal personality would cause obfuscation: a comment on Beekman and Jordan' Behavioral Ecology , DOI Open access
(2017) 'The price of attack: Rethinking damage costs in animal contests' Animal Behaviour , DOI Open access
(2017) 'Immune function and the decision to deploy weapons during fights in the beadlet anemone Actinia equina' Journal of Experimental Biology , DOI Open access
(2016) 'Does repeatable behaviour in the laboratory represent behaviour under natural conditions? A formal comparison in sea anemones' Animal Behaviour , DOI Open access
(2016) 'Weaponry and defenses in fighting animals: how allometry can alter predictions from contest theory' Behavioral Ecology 28, (1) 328-336 , DOI Open access
(2016) 'How do anthropogenic contaminants (ACs) affect behaviour? Multi-level analysis of the effects of copper on boldness in hermit crabs' Oecologia 183, (2) 391-400 , DOI Open access
(2016) 'Proximate mechanisms of animal personality among-individual behavioural variation in animals' Behaviour 153, (13-14) 1509-1515 , DOI Open access
(2016) 'The opposite effects of routine metabolic rate and metabolic rate during startle responses on variation in the predictability of behaviour in hermit crabs' Behaviour 153, (13-14) 1545-1566 , DOI Open access
(2016) 'Responses to threat in a freshwater invader: Longitudinal data reveal personality, habituation and robustness to changing water temperatures in the ‘killer shrimp’ Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea: Amphipoda)' Current Zoology 62, (1) 45-51 Open access
(2016) 'Weak rappers rock more: Hermit crabs assess their own agonistic behaviour' Biology Letters 12, (1) , DOI Open access
(2015) 'Exaggerated displays do not improve mounting success in male seaweed flies Fucellia tergina (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)' Behavioural Processes 120, 73-79 , DOI Open access
(2015) 'Parasites and personality in periwinkles (Littorina littorea): Infection status is associated with mean-level boldness but not repeatability' Behav Processes 115, 132-134 , DOI Open access
(2015) 'Individual quality and personality: bolder males are less fecund in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' Proc Biol Sci 282, (1803) , DOI Open access
(2015) 'Animal personality as a cause and consequence of contest behaviour' Biol Lett 11, (3) , DOI Open access
(2014) 'Familial strife on the seashore: aggression increases with relatedness in the sea anemone Actinia equina' Behav Processes 103, 243-245 , DOI Open access
(2014) 'Boldness and asymmetric contests: role- and outcome-dependent effects of fighting in hermit crabs' Behavioral Ecology 25, (5) 1073-1082 , DOI Open access
(2014) 'Testing for sub-colony variation in seabird foraging behaviour: ecological and methodological consequences for understanding colonial living' MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 498, 275-285 , DOI
(2014) 'What determines the duration of war? Insights from assessment strategies in animal contests' PLoS One 9, (9) , DOI Open access
(2014) 'Animal Personalities: Behaviour, Physiology, and Evolution' Animal Behaviour 87, 239-240 , DOI
(2013) 'The Influence of Personality on a Group-Level Process: Shy Hermit Crabs Make Longer Vacancy Chains' ETHOLOGY 119, (11) 1014-1023 , DOI
(2013) 'Plastic proteans: reduced predictability in the face of predation risk in hermit crabs' Biol Lett 9, (5) , DOI
(2013) 'Asymmetric effects of contaminant exposure during asymmetric contests in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 86, (4) 773-781 , DOI
(2013) 'How does temperature affect behaviour? Multilevel analysis of plasticity, personality and predictability in hermit crabs' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 86, (1) 47-54 , DOI
(2012) 'High CO₂ and marine animal behaviour: potential mechanisms and ecological consequences' Mar Pollut Bull 64, (8) 1519-1528 , DOI
(2012) 'Consistent crustaceans: the identification of stable behavioural syndromes in hermit crabs' BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 66, (7) 1087-1094 , DOI
(2012) 'Unpredictable animals: individual differences in intraindividual variability (IIV)' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 83, (6) 1325-1334 , DOI
(2012) 'Is boldness a resource-holding potential trait? Fighting prowess and changes in startle response in the sea anemone, Actinia equina' Proc Biol Sci 279, (1735) 1904-1910 , DOI
(2012) 'Reduced pH sea water disrupts chemo-responsive behaviour in an intertidal crustacean' JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 412, 134-140 , DOI
(2012) 'Forewarned is forearmed: early signals of RHP predict opponent fatigue in hermit crab shell fights' BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY 23, (6) 1324-1329 , DOI
(2012) 'Size distribution and battles in wood ants: group resource-holding potential is the sum of the individual parts' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 83, (1) 111-117 , DOI
(2011) 'Fight tactics in wood ants: individuals in smaller groups fight harder but die faster' Proc Biol Sci 278, (1722) 3243-3250 , DOI
(2011) 'Reduced sea water pH disrupts resource assessment and decision making in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 82, (3) 495-501 , DOI
(2011) 'Do I stand out or blend in? Conspicuousness awareness and consistent behavioural differences in hermit crabs' Biol Lett 7, (3) 330-332 , DOI
(2011) 'Flexing the abdominals: do bigger muscles make better fighters?' Biol Lett 7, (3) 358-360 , DOI
(2011) 'Direct and indirect effects of species displacements: an invading freshwater amphipod can disrupt leaf-litter processing and shredder efficiency' JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BENTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 30, (1) 38-48 , DOI
(2011) 'High in situ repeatability of behaviour indicates animal personality in the beadlet anemone Actinia equina (Cnidaria)' PLoS One 6, (7) , DOI Open access
(2011) 'The logical polyp: assessments and decisions during contests in the beadlet anemone Actinia equina' BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY 22, (6) 1278-1285 , DOI
(2010) 'Influences on resource-holding potential during dangerous group contests between wood ants' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 80, (3) 443-449 , DOI
(2010) 'Repeated measures analysis of contests and other dyadic interactions: problems of semantics, not statistical validity' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 80, (3) 583-588 , DOI
(2010) 'Whole-organism performance capacity predicts resource-holding potential in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 80, (2) 277-282 , DOI
(2010) 'An appraisal of a biocontamination assessment method for freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages; a practical way to measure a significant biological pressure?' HYDROBIOLOGIA 638, (1) 151-159 , DOI
(2009) 'Effects of Predation Threat on the Structure and Benefits from Vacancy Chains in the Hermit Crab Pagurus bernhardus' ETHOLOGY 115, (11) 1029-1035 , DOI
(2009) 'Replacement of a native freshwater macroinvertebrate species by an invader: implications for biological water quality monitoring' HYDROBIOLOGIA 635, (1) 321-327 , DOI
(2009) 'Aerobic capacity influences giving-up decisions in fighting hermit crabs: does stamina constrain contests?' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 78, (3) 735-740 , DOI
(2009) 'Effects of shell size on behavioural consistency and flexibility in hermit crabs' CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 87, (7) 597-603 , DOI
(2009) 'Difficulties remain in distinguishing between mutual and self-assessment in animal contests' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 77, (3) 759-762 , DOI
(2008) 'The role of circulating metal ions during shell fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' ETHOLOGY 114, (10) 1014-1022 , DOI
(2008) 'Behavioural colour change in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus: reduced crypticity when the threat of predation is high' BEHAVIOUR 145, 915-929 , DOI
(2008) 'Comparing the strength of behavioural plasticity and consistency across situations: animal personalities in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' Proc Biol Sci 275, (1640) 1305-1311 , DOI
(2008) 'Decisions during fights in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus: mutual or self assessment of energy, weapons and size?' ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 75, 1053-1062 , DOI
(2007) 'Monoamines and decision making during contests in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' Animal Behaviour 73, 605-612
(2007) 'Physiological constraints on contest behaviour' Functional Ecology 21, (4) 627-637
(2007) 'Inter-sexual contests in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus: females fight harder but males win more encounters' BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 61, 1781-1787 , DOI
(2006) 'Honest and dishonest displays, motivational state and subsequent decisions in hermit crab shell fights' Animal Behaviour 72, 853-859
(2006) 'Signal residuals during shell fighting in hermit crabs: can costly signals be used deceptively?' Behavioral Ecology 17, (3) 510-514
(2006) 'Use of chemical cues during shell fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' Behaviour 143, 1281-1290
(2005) 'Metabolic consequences of shell choice in Pagurus bernhardus: do hermit crabs prefer cryptic or portable shells?' Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 59, (1) 143-148
(2005) 'Rapid change in energy status in fighting animals: causes and effects of strategic decisions' Animal Behaviour 70, 119-124
(2004) 'The replacement of a native freshwater amphipod by an invader: roles for environmental degradation and intraguild predation' Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61, (9) 1627-1635
(2004) 'Use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs' Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 271, (1537) 373-379
(2003) 'An acanthocephalan parasite mediates intraguild predation between invasive and native freshwater amphipods (Crustacea)' Freshwater Biology 48, (12) 2085-2093
(2003) 'Analysis of multiple aspects of a repeated signal: power and rate of rapping during shell fights in hermit crabs' Behavioral Ecology 14, (1) 74-79
(2003) 'Seasonal patterns in activity and habitat use by bats (Pipistrellus spp. and Nyctalus leisleri) in Northern Ireland, determined using a driven transect' Journal of Zoology 259, 289-299
(2002) 'Power of shell-rapping signals influences physiological costs and subsequent decisions during hermit crab fights' Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 269, (1507) 2331-2336
(2001) 'Information gathering and communication during agonistic encounters: A case study of hermit crabs' Advances in the Study of Behavior, Vol 30 30, 53-97
(2001) 'Motivational change during shell fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' Animal Behaviour 62, 505-510
(2001) 'Physiological correlates of decision rules during shell fights in hermit crabs' Advances in Ethology 36,
(2001) 'Decision rules, energy metabolism and vigour of hermit-crab fights' Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 268, (1478) 1841-1848
(2000) 'Cumulative or sequential assessment during hermit crab shell fights: effects of oxygen on decision rules' Proc Biol Sci 267, (1460) 2445-2452 , DOI
(2000) 'Analysis of the finescale timing of repeated signals: does shell rapping in hermit crabs signal stamina?' Anim Behav 59, (1) 159-165 , DOI
(2000) 'The power of shell rapping influences rates of eviction in hermit crabs' BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY 11, (3) 288-293 , DOI
(1998) 'Analysis of repeated signals during shell fights in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus' PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 265, (1404) 1467-1474 , DOI
Books
Irschick, DJ, Briffa, M, & Podos, J. 2015. Animal Signalling and Function: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell.
Hardy, ICW & Briffa, M. 2013. Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Chapters
Briffa M. 2020. Animal Personality and Investment in Reproduction: Hermit Crabs and Other Crustaceans as Model Organisms. In Cothran R & Theil M (Eds) The Natural History of the Crustacea, Volume 6: Reproductive Biology. OUP.
Briffa M & Lane SM. 2019. Signals in Conflict Resolution: Conventional Signals, Aggression and Territoriality. In Jae Chun Choe (EIC) Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (Second Edition). Elsevier.
Briffa M 2015. Agonistic signals: Integrating analysis of functions and mechanisms. In Irschick DJ, Podos J & Briffa M (Eds.) Animal Signalling and function: An integrative approach. Wiley-Backwell.
Briffa M, Hardy ICW & Mowles SL 2013. Prospects for animal contests. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Field SA & Briffa M 2013. Human contests: evolutionary theory and the analysis of interstate war. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Briffa M 2013. Contests in crustaceans: assessments, decisions and their underlying mechanisms. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Briffa M, Hardy ICW, Gammell MP, Jennings DJ, Clarke DD & Goubault M 2013. Analysis of contest data. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Briffa M & Hardy ICW 2013. Introduction to animal contests. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Briffa M & Hardy ICW 2013. Preface. In Hardy ICW & Briffa M (Eds) Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press.
Briffa, M & Sneddon, LU. 2010. Contest Behavior. In D.F.Westneat & C.W.Fox (Eds) Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology. Oxford University Press.
(2020) 'Animal Personality and Investment in Reproduction: Hermit Crabs and Other Crustaceans as Model Organisms' Reproductive Biology Oxford University Press 503-525 , DOI
(2019) 'Signals in Conflict Resolution: Conventional Signals, Aggression and Territoriality' Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior Elsevier 531-538 , DOI
(2014) 'Agonistic Signals: Integrating Analysis of Functions and Mechanisms' Animal Signaling and Function John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 141-173 , DOI
(2014) 'Integrating functional approaches with signalling theory: An Introduction. In Irschick DJ, Podos J & Briffa M (Eds.)' in Irschick DJ; Briffa M; Podos J Animal Signalling and Function: An integrative approach
Conference Papers
(2016) 'Review on behavioral impacts of aquatic noise on crustaceans' Fourth International Conference on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life Acoustical Society of America , DOI
(2004) 'Mobilising for war: use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs' Comp. Biochem. Physiol.
Personal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
Invited talks and seminars
2016 Seminar, Hull University, UK.
2015 Keynote speaker, IEC Behaviour 2015, Cairns, Australia.
2015 Seminar, Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA.
2014 Seminar, Universite Francois Rabelais, Dijon, France.
2013 Seminar, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
2013 Invited speaker at Symposuim on Personality: Causes and consequences of consistent behavioural variation, Hannover, Germany.
2013 Seminar, Nottinghan Trent University, UK.
2012 Invited speaker at ASAB/SEB N3R meeting, London, UK
2012 Invited lecture, Oxford University Scientific Society, UK
2011 Seminar, University of Nottingham, UK.
2011 Seminar, University of Durham, UK
2011 Seminar, University of Newcastle (Marine Scinece and Technology), UK.
2010 Seminar, University of Exeter, UK.
2010 Seminar, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
2010 Seminar, The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK.
2009 Seminar, University of Exeter at Falmouth, UK.
2009 Seminar, University of Derby, UK.
2008 Seminar, University of Bristol, UK.
2008 Invited speaker at symposium on contest behaviour. European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Univerity de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
2007 Invited speaker at symposium on contest behaviour. International Ethological Conference, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
2006 Plenary speaker "Energetic constraints in fighting". Joint European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
2005-2006 Guest lecturer on Animal Physiological Ecology module, University of Nottingham, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Cardiff, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Liverpool, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Hull, UK.
Selected contributed conference presentations
Briffa M 2008 Comparing the strength of behavioural plasticity and consistency: Animal personalities in hermit crabs. European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Univerity de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Bibost AL, Briffa M 2008 The boldness and shyness of the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus: Animal personality or behavioural plasticity? European Conference on Behavioural Biology, University de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Mowles, SL, Briffa M & Cotton PA 2008. Effects of respiratory pigment and whole body performance capacity on agonistic signals in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus.. ISBE: 12th International Behavioural Ecology Congress. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI. 2007. Effects of metal -ions and respiratory pigment during agonistic encounters in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., Marine Institute Conference: Understanding Marine Systems. Plymouth, UK.
De La Haye K, Briffa M, & Spicer JI. 2007. Behavioural consequences of ocean acidification in decapod crustaceans. Marine Institute Conference: Understanding Marine Systems. Plymouth, UK.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI. 2007. Champions how their mettle! Seasonal effects of metal ions on contest behaviour in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. IEC: XXX International Ethological Conference. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Mowles, SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI 2007. The effect of respiratory pigment on shell fighting in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., J.I. IEC: XXX International Ethological Conference. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI 2007. The effect of respiratory pigment on shell fighting in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., J.I. ASAB Easter conference, University of Exeter, Falmouth, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2005. Shell fighting in hermit crabs: Contests, communication and costs. ICC 6, Glasgow, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2004. Use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs. ISBE, Jyvaskla, Finland.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2004. Mobilising for war: use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs. SEB Edinburgh, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2002. Signal power, physiological costs and subsequent decisions during hermit crab fights. BES York, UK.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2002. Physiological constraints influence decisions in hermit crab fights. 1st European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Muenster, Germany.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2001. Physiological correlates of decision rules during shell fights in hermit crabs. IEC. Tubingen, Germany.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2001. Physiological constraints influence decisions in hermit crab fights. ASAB Summer conference, Glasgow, UK.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2001. Probing motivational state during shell fights in hermit crabs. IEC, Tuebingen, Germany.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2000. Fatigue and stamina: Effects of oxygen levels on the fighting ability of hermit crabs, Pagurus bernhardus. ISBE, Zurich, Switzerland.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1999. Fatigue constrains shell rapping during hermit crab shell fights. ASAB Summer conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
Elwood RW, Briffa M & Dick JTA 1999. Fatigue constrains shell rapping during hermit crab fights. IEC Bangalore, India.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1997. Communication during shell exchange in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. ASAB Easter, Cardiff, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1997. Communication during shell exchange in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. IEC, Venice, Austria.
2009 Seminar, University of Exeter at Falmouth, UK.
2009 Seminar, University of Derby, UK.
2008 Seminar, University of Bristol, UK.
2008 Invited speaker at symposium on contest behaviour. European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Univerity de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
2007 Invited speaker at symposium on contest behaviour. International Ethological Conference, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
2006 Plenary speaker "Energetic constraints in fighting". Joint European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
2005-2006 Guest lecturer on Animal Physiological Ecology module, University of Nottingham, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Cardiff, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Liverpool, UK.
2006 Seminar, University of Hull, UK.
Selected contributed conference presentations
Briffa M 2008 Comparing the strength of behavioural plasticity and consistency: Animal personalities in hermit crabs. European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Univerity de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Bibost AL, Briffa M 2008 The boldness and shyness of the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus: Animal personality or behavioural plasticity? European Conference on Behavioural Biology, University de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Mowles, SL, Briffa M & Cotton PA 2008. Effects of respiratory pigment and whole body performance capacity on agonistic signals in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus.. ISBE: 12th International Behavioural Ecology Congress. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI. 2007. Effects of metal -ions and respiratory pigment during agonistic encounters in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., Marine Institute Conference: Understanding Marine Systems. Plymouth, UK.
De La Haye K, Briffa M, & Spicer JI. 2007. Behavioural consequences of ocean acidification in decapod crustaceans. Marine Institute Conference: Understanding Marine Systems. Plymouth, UK.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI. 2007. Champions how their mettle! Seasonal effects of metal ions on contest behaviour in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. IEC: XXX International Ethological Conference. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Mowles, SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI 2007. The effect of respiratory pigment on shell fighting in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., J.I. IEC: XXX International Ethological Conference. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Mowles SL, Briffa M, Cotton PA & Spicer JI 2007. The effect of respiratory pigment on shell fighting in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus., J.I. ASAB Easter conference, University of Exeter, Falmouth, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2005. Shell fighting in hermit crabs: Contests, communication and costs. ICC 6, Glasgow, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2004. Use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs. ISBE, Jyvaskla, Finland.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2004. Mobilising for war: use of energy reserves in fighting hermit crabs. SEB Edinburgh, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2002. Signal power, physiological costs and subsequent decisions during hermit crab fights. BES York, UK.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2002. Physiological constraints influence decisions in hermit crab fights. 1st European Conference on Behavioural Biology, Muenster, Germany.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2001. Physiological correlates of decision rules during shell fights in hermit crabs. IEC. Tubingen, Germany.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2001. Physiological constraints influence decisions in hermit crab fights. ASAB Summer conference, Glasgow, UK.
Elwood RW & Briffa M 2001. Probing motivational state during shell fights in hermit crabs. IEC, Tuebingen, Germany.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 2000. Fatigue and stamina: Effects of oxygen levels on the fighting ability of hermit crabs, Pagurus bernhardus. ISBE, Zurich, Switzerland.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1999. Fatigue constrains shell rapping during hermit crab shell fights. ASAB Summer conference, Lisbon, Portugal.
Elwood RW, Briffa M & Dick JTA 1999. Fatigue constrains shell rapping during hermit crab fights. IEC Bangalore, India.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1997. Communication during shell exchange in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. ASAB Easter, Cardiff, UK.
Briffa M & Elwood RW 1997. Communication during shell exchange in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. IEC, Venice, Austria.
Additional information
- Handling Editor: Biology Letters from 2014
- Editor: Animal Behaviour 2010 - 2013
- Academic Editor: PLoS one from 2009
- Consulting Editor, Animal Behaviour 2007-2010
- 'Top Reviewer' awards: Animal Behaviour 2007, Biology Letters 2008, 2009, 2011.
- Reviewing for Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Behaviour, Ethology, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Journal of The Marine Biological association of the UK, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
- Outreach: Tyneside Metropolitan College, 2009