Behavioural physiology is an interdisciplinary field that combines aspects of biology, physiology, and cognition to study the connection between physiological processes and behavioural patterns in animals. It focuses on understanding how the brain, nervous system, hormones, and other bodily systems influence an animal’s behaviour and cognitive functions in various environments. By examining these physiological and cognitive mechanisms, researchers can gain insights into how animals adapt to their surroundings, learn, communicate, reproduce, and respond to stress or other stimuli. This field bridges the gap between how the body works, how animals process information, and how that internal functioning manifests as observable behaviour, providing a deeper understanding of animal biology, cognition, and behaviour.

In our lab, we focus on studying ectotherms, primarily fish, to better understand brain-behaviour relationships in vertebrates. Our research explores how individuals and species adapt to their ecological conditions within an ecological and evolutionary framework. Ectotherms, with their plastic brains, indeterminate growth, and continuous neurogenesis, provide a unique opportunity to examine how environmental pressures shape brain complexity and behaviour.

We work with a variety of fish species, including cleaner fish, African cichlids, anemonefish, and damselfish, to investigate how ecological factors influence brain development. Our research highlights the remarkable plasticity of ectotherm brain morphology, showing how these organisms can modify their brain structure to meet their ecological needs and adapt their behaviour in response to changing environments. By studying these processes, we gain valuable insights into how selective pressures shape brain function and behaviour over short timescales and across species.

In addition to our work on ectotherms, we also conduct research on endothermic species, particularly zoo animals. We are conducting studies in Swiss animal zoos, combining physiological measurements with behavioural observations. This research aims to understand how hormones influence competitive and cooperative communication, depending on the species’ social organization. We are investigating how social systems shape communication needs, which in turn affect physiology and lead to adaptive behaviour.