Noah Snyder-Mackler

Doctoral Candidate
Department of Psychology
University of Pennsylvania

Contact:
Institute for Research in Cognitive Science
University of Pennsylvania
3401 Walnut, Suite 400A
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228
email:   snydern (at) sas.upenn.edu


Education
2008   M.A.   Psychology, Animal Behavior, University of Pennsylvania
2007   B.A.   Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

C.V.


 
             

RESEARCH INTERESTS

GELADAS (Theropithecus gelada)
In collaboration with the University of Michigan Gelada Research Project (UMGRP), I study the socio-genetic structure of geladas. My research incorporates both laboratory and field techniques. In collaboration with Dr. Susan Alberts at Duke University I use non-invasive genetic sampling techniques to determine relatedness between individuals and groups. Using this two-pronged approach I can examine the interactions between genetics, relatedness, and social behaviors in a complex society.




 
PAST RESEARCH

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS (Molothrus ater)
For my MA thesis I studied the interaction between sociality and song development in the brown-headed cowbird. Male cowbirds produce many different song types. I researched how song functions in different social contexts (i.e. male-female, male-male). I also studied how the social environment affects the development of all aspects of song (song potency, repertoire size), and the hormonal correlates, in juvenile cowbirds.

    


 
PUBLICATIONS

GELADAS
  • Snyder-Mackler, N, Alberts, SC & Bergman TJ – The effect of relatedness on the evolution of the multi-level society of geladas (Theropithecus gelada). in prep

  • Le Roux, A, Snyder-Mackler, N, Roberts, EK, Beehner, JC & Bergman TJ – Sneaky Simian Sex: Evidence for tactical concealment in a wild primate. in prep

  • Snyder-Mackler, N, Alberts, SC & Bergman TJ – Limited kin preference for cooperation in a species with high within-group relatedness. in prep

  • Snyder-Mackler N, Alberts SC & Bergman TJ. Concessions of an alpha male: Cooperative reproductive transactions in a polygynous primate. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences under revision

  • Pappano DJ*, Snyder-Mackler N*, Bergman TJ & Beehner JC (2011). Social predators in a multi-level primate society. Animal Behaviour under review

  • Snyder-Mackler N, Beehner JC & Bergman TJ (2011). Defining Higher Levels in the Multilevel Societies of Geladas (Theropithecus gelada) International J. Primatology in press. doi: 10.1007/s10764-012-9584-5


BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS
  • White DJ, Gersick AS & Snyder-Mackler N “Social networks and the development of social skills in cowbirds.” – Phil. Transactions B- accepted

  • Gersick AS, Snyder-Mackler N, White DJ (2011). Ontogeny of social skills: social complexity improves mating and competitive strategies in male brown-headed cowbirds. Animal Behaviour in press. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.02.005

  • Snyder-Mackler N & White DJ (2011). The developmental ecology of acoustic sensitivities: reactions to song playbacks by male cowbirds change across their first year of life. Behaviour, 148:7, 747-764. doi: 10.1163/000579511X575951

  • White DJ, Gersick AS, Freed-Brown SG & Snyder-Mackler N (2010). The ontogeny of social skills: experimental increases in social complexity enhance reproductive success in adult cowbirds. Animal Behaviour , 79:2, 385-390. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.11.014


* co-first authors


 
PRESS
New York Times Scientist at Work blog
APA gradPSYCH: Research Roundup


 
Advisors & Collaborators
Drs. Robert Seyfarth & Dorothy Cheney - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Thore Bergman - University of Michigan
Dr. David White - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Susan Alberts - Duke University
Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Jacinta Beehner - University of Michigan