About the Authors

Matthew Geary

M.geary@Chester.ac.uk

Current address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom

Affiliation Division of Biology & Conservation Ecology, School of Science & the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

Alan H. Fielding

Affiliation Division of Biology & Conservation Ecology, School of Science & the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

Philip J. K. McGowan

Current address: School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Affiliation World Pheasant Association, Newcastle University Biology Field Station, Close House Estate, Heddon-on-the-Wall, United Kingdom

Stuart J. Marsden

Affiliation Division of Biology & Conservation Ecology, School of Science & the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: MG AHF SJM. Analyzed the data: MG. Wrote the paper: MG AHF PJKM SJM.