Candy Rowe

Professor Candy Rowe is a prominent academic at Newcastle University, specializing in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology. Her research focuses on understanding predator-prey interactions, particularly the evolution and efficacy of warning signals (aposematism), chemical defenses, and multimodal communication strategies. She investigates how predators learn to recognize and respond to defended prey, emphasizing the cognitive mechanisms underlying these interactions.

Her work spans diverse topics including the impact of prey size, toxicity, and visual patterns on predator behavior, as well as the ecological and evolutionary implications of mimicry and deimatic displays. She has also contributed to studies on animal cognition, including decision-making processes in avian predators and reward systems in primates.

Key areas of interest include the design principles of warning signals, the role of sensory modalities in signaling, and the interplay between defense costs and predation risk. Her research frequently employs experimental approaches with birds and insects, combining field observations with controlled laboratory experiments.

Professor Rowe’s publications consistently address foundational questions in evolutionary ecology, such as why certain species evolve conspicuous coloration, how predators balance toxin exposure risks, and the cognitive underpinnings of anti-predator strategies.