Catherine Sheppard

I see myself as a behavioural ecologist in a marine world, applying behavioural theory and lessons learned from terrestrial systems to coral reefs in new and creative ways. 

In my current position as a post-doctoral fellow, I am investigating the role of cleaning mutualisms in conserving biodiversity on coral reefs.   I am particularly interested in the cross-scale effects of individual-level behaviour on population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. 

I received my PhD from Lancaster University, UK, where I studied the role of aggressive territorial farming damselfish Stegastes in mediating the spatial distribution and behaviour of other reef inhabitants. I enjoy experimenting with and using novel technologies to open new avenues of research.  

I love to run and travel, and generally enjoy any activity that involves being in, on, or near water. I am also a keen baker, and regularly bring weekend bakes to the office to brighten up Monday mornings.

E-mail: celsheppard@ciencias.ulisboa.pt

Google Scholar:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3Xqu-dIAAAAJ&hl=pt-PT&oi=ao 

Publications:

C.E. Sheppard, L. Boström-Einarsson, G.J. Williams, D.A Exton, S.A. Keith(2024) Variation in farming damselfish behaviour creates a competitive landscape of risk on coral reefs. Biology Letters 20:20240035

C. E. Sheppard, G. J. Williams, D. A. Exton, S. A. Keith (2023) Co-occurrence of herbivorous fish functional groups correlates with enhanced coral reef benthic state. Global Ecol Biogeogr. Open Access

C. E. Sheppard, R. Heaphy, M. A. Cant, H. H. Marshall (2021) Individual foraging specialization in group-living species. Anim Behav 182: 285-294 Link

C. E. Sheppard, H. H. Marshall, R. Inger, F. J. Thompson, E. I. K. Vitikainen, S. Barker, H. J. Nichols, D. A. Wells, R. A. McDonald, M. A. Cant (2018) Decoupling of Genetic and Cultural Inheritance in a Wild Mammal. Curr Biol 28(11): 1846-1850 Open Access

C. E. Sheppard, R. Inger, R. A. McDonald, S. Barker, A. L. Jackson, F. J. Thompson, E. I. K. Vitikainen, M. A. Cant, H. H. Marshall (2018) Intragroup competition predicts individual foraging specialisation in a group‐living mammal. Ecol Lett 21(5): 665-673 Open Access