Project: Social structure and ageing in social mole-rats

It has been suggested that social mole-rats may be organised in permanent, distinct castes that differ in behaviour and longevity, suggesting that their organisation resembles that of social insects. However, behavioural data are rare and the development of behavioural differences and contrasting life-histories is unclear. This project will investigate whether some social mole-rats may be organised in distinct castes that differ in behaviour and longevity.