Sofia Rizzi
Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation
Loitzer Str. 26
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4354
Fax: +49 (0)3834 420-4252
sofia.rizzi.1994(at)gmail(dot)com
Research Interests
Role of Olfaction in Bats’ Social Relationships
The vast majority of bat species show a high propensity for group living, with colonies varying enormously in size (from a few individuals to millions), stability and composition. Their social systems and breeding habits are often very complex and largely understudied. Considering bats’ nocturnal habits, hearing and olfaction represent the most crucial senses in their everyday social life and communication. While vocal communication has received lots of attention, the role of olfaction in their social organization remains poorly investigated. A thorough understanding of the role of odours in bat sociality would provide insights not only into the evolution of their complex social structures but also into the potential factors that could threaten the maintenance of such structures.
In this perspective, my PhD project is aimed at studying the role of olfaction in bat social relationships by focusing on Myotis bechsteinii and Myotis nattereri. To do so, I employ a multidisciplinary approach that includes behavioural experiments in the wild on free-ranging individuals, as well as gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry of their secretions.
Previous experience and Other Interests
I am an enthusiastic evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist with a passion for studying non-model species and a love for fieldwork. Before my PhD, my research primarily focused on phenotypic plasticity in sexually selected traits of the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), and I continue to be deeply interested in sexual selection along with a range of other topics. I thrive on networking and collaboration, which is why I am involved in various societies and projects. Outside of research, you will often find me outdoors, camera in hand looking for wildlife.