I am studying the divergence in the diet of sperm whales from different vocal clans using stable isotopes. A difference in isotopic signatures between the clans would mean that sperm whales form different acoustic clans feed on different source of food.

I am also evaluating the reproductive success of the clans. I examine length distributions of the individuals of each clan and the presence of calves.

Finally, I investigate which sperm whales produce codas (a Morse code-like vocalization produced by the sperm whales when socializing). I use a unique feature of the sperm whale, the spermaceti organ, to estimate the length of the animals that produce the codas. I find that these vocalizations are made almost exclusively by mature females. I suggest that coda communication serves several functions but mainly social bonding.

Field study in the Bay of Naples During the summer of 2003, I did a summer NSERC research project in Naples, Italy. I worked at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. I studied the influence of environmental features on the neophobia of octopus, Octopus vulgaris, in the laboratory. We tried to qualify different sites in the Bay of Naples from which the octopuses originated. We wanted to relate the differences within the sites to the predisposition of the octopus to be tested in the laboratory.

Field study in Barbados I was in Barbados in the summer of 2002 for another summer NSERC research project under the supervision of Dr. Louis Lefebvre. I studied the effect of polymorphism in territorial defence of Zenaida doves Zenaida aurita. We banded nearly 150 birds with different combinations of coloured rings. We monitored the aggressive behaviour of 70 individuals for 2 months. We also did kidnapping experiment in which we removed 11 birds from their territories to learn what would happen with the emptied territory.

PhD Project I am currently planning a doctoral study on narwhal's population.

-Sol D, Elie M, Marcoux M, Chrostovsky E, Porcher C and Lefebvre L. (2005) Ecological mechanisms of a resource polymorphism in Zenaida Doves of Barbados. Ecology 86(9): 2397-2407

-Marcoux* M, Rendell L, Whitehead H. (2004) Coda vocalizations are made almost exclusively by mature female sperm whales. SQEBC conference, Sherbrooke, Québec.

-Marcoux* M, Elie M, Chrostowski E, and Sol D (2002) Polymorphism and competition in Zenaida Doves of Barbados, SQEBC conference, Montréal, Québec.

2005-2008: NSERC, Doctoral Scholarship
2005-2006: Recruitment Excellence Fellowship, McGill University
2005: Northern Scientific Training Program
2003-2005: Fonds de recherche sur la nature et les technologies, Master’s Scholarship
2003: NSERC, Undergraduate Scholarship
2002: NSERC, Undergraduate Scholarship
2002-2003: Dean’s Honour List
2000-2003: McConnell Entrance Scolarship, McGill University

Top of the Page