My enrichment project for the summer of 2012 involved two research projects that employed distinct techniques in animal behavior research. On the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua I designed and implemented a study in which I used field research methods to examine the effect of male Howler Monkey affiliations on subordinate male participation in howling displays. After returning to the states, I collaborated with Dr. Cusato on a research project at Centre College. In this study we utilized a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to test the reinforcing properties of a species-specific vocalization, the male separation call, on male and female Japanese quail. Through my exposure to both field and laboratory methods in animal behavior, I acquired an appreciation for the advantages and disadvantages of each discipline and the necessity of conducting both types of research to gain a more holistic understanding of many essential questions in animal behavior.
1) The study sequenced the COI gene of 321 fish specimens from the South China Sea, identifying 122 species and 1 genus. Intraspecific genetic divergence averaged 0.319% while interspecific divergence between congeneric species was 15.742%, around 50 times higher.
2) Hybridization was detected between Pampus argentenus and P. cinereus. Introgression can cause phylogenic paraphyly.
3) Factors like biological mechanisms, water currents, and lack of gene flow may contribute to fluctuations in intraspecific divergence, particularly in minitypical coastal species. DNA barcoding can help discover new species and biodiversity.
The document discusses innate and learned behavior in invertebrates. It outlines three assessment objectives related to distinguishing between innate and learned behavior, designing experiments to investigate innate behaviors like taxes or kinesis, and analyzing data from such experiments in terms of survival and reproduction. It also briefly outlines Pavlov's conditioning experiments with dogs and the role of inheritance and learning in birdsong development.
1) Male zebra finches were found to respond differently to calls from their mate versus other females depending on their social context. Specifically, males responded much more to their mate's call when with a mated pair compared to when alone or with other unmated males.
2) Previous studies found male zebra finches did not show mate recognition from female calls. However, the new study found female calls contain identifiable acoustic features allowing for individual recognition.
3) The results suggest social context can influence mate recognition in birds, challenging the view that complex social assessments are unique to primates.
This document outlines an applied science unit on biological systems and ecosystems. It includes 11 lessons that guide students through key concepts like:
1. Classifying organisms using identification keys and describing characteristics of the five kingdoms.
2. Explaining the need to classify organisms, such as for anti-venom treatment.
3. Surveying a local ecosystem to identify types of organisms and their interdependence.
4. Describing adaptations organisms have to their environments and creating diagrams to demonstrate food chains.
The lessons involve hands-on activities like classifying sweets, researching kingdoms, surveying a park, and drawing organism adaptations. The goal is for students to understand biological classification systems and
The study found that exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos during development reduced anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae. Using a novel high-throughput behavioral assay, the researchers determined that larvae treated with low doses of chlorpyrifos showed decreased thigmotaxis, or edge-seeking behavior, without and with a visual stimulus compared to controls, indicating reduced anxiety. Treatment did not affect avoidance behavior. In a separate assay, chlorpyrifos-treated larvae also showed decreased thigmotaxis, swim speed, but no change in avoidance behavior compared to controls. The results suggest that even low levels of chlorpyrifos during development can alter anxiety behaviors through effects on the serotonergic and
This document provides an overview of using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for studying behaviors. It discusses the advantages of flies, including their short lifespan, simple nervous system, and powerful genetic tools. Several behaviors are described that can be analyzed, such as courtship, geotaxis, olfaction, and responses to drugs. Genetic techniques like GAL4/UAS allow tissue-specific expression of genes. Several studies are summarized that use flies to investigate topics like memory, nociception, addiction, and autism-related behaviors. Automated systems have been developed to efficiently quantify locomotion and social interactions in flies.
Females acquired auditory fear conditioning faster than males when exposed to 5 tone-shock pairings, freezing more during tones 3 and 5. Females also showed a preference for exploring a novel object compared to males. In the Morris water maze, females outperformed males in spatial learning when a prominent landmark cue was present, relying more on landmarks while males relied more on geometric cues. The results indicate sex differences in hippocampus-dependent tasks, with females dominating in some contexts. These findings should influence experimental designs and clinical treatments by considering potential sex-based differences.
Using Brain Stimulation and Imaging Techniquues to Study Human Movement by Jo...Brown Fellows Program
The student conducted research using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the brain's role in human movement and behavior. Through tDCS, the student investigated whether stimulation could improve fine motor skills, with potential benefits for stroke patients. Using fMRI, the student found that skilled movement imagers had stronger intrinsic activity and functional connectivity in brain areas related to movement compared to poor imagers. This suggests fMRI could determine which stroke patients might benefit from mental training therapies involving movement imagination. The experience solidified the student's interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
1) The study sequenced the COI gene of 321 fish specimens from the South China Sea, identifying 122 species and 1 genus. Intraspecific genetic divergence averaged 0.319% while interspecific divergence between congeneric species was 15.742%, around 50 times higher.
2) Hybridization was detected between Pampus argentenus and P. cinereus. Introgression can cause phylogenic paraphyly.
3) Factors like biological mechanisms, water currents, and lack of gene flow may contribute to fluctuations in intraspecific divergence, particularly in minitypical coastal species. DNA barcoding can help discover new species and biodiversity.
The document discusses innate and learned behavior in invertebrates. It outlines three assessment objectives related to distinguishing between innate and learned behavior, designing experiments to investigate innate behaviors like taxes or kinesis, and analyzing data from such experiments in terms of survival and reproduction. It also briefly outlines Pavlov's conditioning experiments with dogs and the role of inheritance and learning in birdsong development.
1) Male zebra finches were found to respond differently to calls from their mate versus other females depending on their social context. Specifically, males responded much more to their mate's call when with a mated pair compared to when alone or with other unmated males.
2) Previous studies found male zebra finches did not show mate recognition from female calls. However, the new study found female calls contain identifiable acoustic features allowing for individual recognition.
3) The results suggest social context can influence mate recognition in birds, challenging the view that complex social assessments are unique to primates.
This document outlines an applied science unit on biological systems and ecosystems. It includes 11 lessons that guide students through key concepts like:
1. Classifying organisms using identification keys and describing characteristics of the five kingdoms.
2. Explaining the need to classify organisms, such as for anti-venom treatment.
3. Surveying a local ecosystem to identify types of organisms and their interdependence.
4. Describing adaptations organisms have to their environments and creating diagrams to demonstrate food chains.
The lessons involve hands-on activities like classifying sweets, researching kingdoms, surveying a park, and drawing organism adaptations. The goal is for students to understand biological classification systems and
The study found that exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos during development reduced anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae. Using a novel high-throughput behavioral assay, the researchers determined that larvae treated with low doses of chlorpyrifos showed decreased thigmotaxis, or edge-seeking behavior, without and with a visual stimulus compared to controls, indicating reduced anxiety. Treatment did not affect avoidance behavior. In a separate assay, chlorpyrifos-treated larvae also showed decreased thigmotaxis, swim speed, but no change in avoidance behavior compared to controls. The results suggest that even low levels of chlorpyrifos during development can alter anxiety behaviors through effects on the serotonergic and
This document provides an overview of using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for studying behaviors. It discusses the advantages of flies, including their short lifespan, simple nervous system, and powerful genetic tools. Several behaviors are described that can be analyzed, such as courtship, geotaxis, olfaction, and responses to drugs. Genetic techniques like GAL4/UAS allow tissue-specific expression of genes. Several studies are summarized that use flies to investigate topics like memory, nociception, addiction, and autism-related behaviors. Automated systems have been developed to efficiently quantify locomotion and social interactions in flies.
Females acquired auditory fear conditioning faster than males when exposed to 5 tone-shock pairings, freezing more during tones 3 and 5. Females also showed a preference for exploring a novel object compared to males. In the Morris water maze, females outperformed males in spatial learning when a prominent landmark cue was present, relying more on landmarks while males relied more on geometric cues. The results indicate sex differences in hippocampus-dependent tasks, with females dominating in some contexts. These findings should influence experimental designs and clinical treatments by considering potential sex-based differences.
Using Brain Stimulation and Imaging Techniquues to Study Human Movement by Jo...Brown Fellows Program
The student conducted research using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the brain's role in human movement and behavior. Through tDCS, the student investigated whether stimulation could improve fine motor skills, with potential benefits for stroke patients. Using fMRI, the student found that skilled movement imagers had stronger intrinsic activity and functional connectivity in brain areas related to movement compared to poor imagers. This suggests fMRI could determine which stroke patients might benefit from mental training therapies involving movement imagination. The experience solidified the student's interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
This document discusses animal welfare for 4th year veterinary students. It introduces animal welfare as how an animal copes with its living conditions, and defines an animal with good welfare as healthy, comfortable, safe, and able to express natural behaviors without suffering. Good animal welfare requires preventing disease, providing shelter, humane handling, and meeting nutritional needs. The "Five Freedoms" framework assesses welfare based on an animal's freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and ability to express normal behaviors. The document emphasizes that animals experience feelings and sensations, so their welfare is important and should be properly cared for.
This document provides ethical guidelines for the care and use of animals in health research in Nepal. It was created by the Nepal Health Research Council to ensure animals are treated humanely and research follows international standards. The guidelines cover responsible conduct of research, housing and care of animals, acquiring and transporting animals, research procedures, field research, educational use of animals, record keeping, and oversight by an ethical review board. The goal is to promote the welfare of animals used in research while advancing scientific knowledge.
Lecture to students at the SOCRATES / ERASMUS INTERNATIONAL COURSE 2003, ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht,The Netherlands
Today there exists a wide spectrum of views on this subject, ranging from those concerned with animal 'rights' to those who view animals only as a resource to be exploited.
All of thThe five freedoms were originally developed from a UK Government report on livestock husbandry in 1965 (Prof.Roger Brambell) then by Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) In July 1979
Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour .
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area .
Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
The document discusses animal ethics and care in biomedical research. It covers:
1. The importance of animal models in biomedical research due to their biological similarities to humans.
2. A brief history of animal ethics regulations globally and in India, including the establishment of organizations like CPCSEA to oversee animal experimentation.
3. Guidelines from CPCSEA on proper veterinary care, procurement, quarantine, and disease control for animals used in research.
The document discusses animal welfare from scientific, ethical, and legal perspectives. It defines animal welfare as considering how human actions affect the physical and mental states of animals. The concepts of physical status, mental status, and naturalness are introduced as three aspects of animal welfare. Behavioral indicators are an important tool for assessing animal welfare as behaviors reveal how animals feel and what they prefer. The Five Freedoms framework is also discussed as a common approach for evaluating animal welfare.
1. This study compared the speed, grooming, and seeking behaviors of North and South American cockroaches using the cockroach as a model organism.
2. The researchers recorded and analyzed grooming behaviors in North American cockroaches during 30 minute sessions and found differences in grooming of various body parts.
3. They administered octopamine and vanilla to North American cockroaches and found it increased their grooming behaviors, showing neuromodulation of this behavior.
B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning which examines how behaviors are influenced by consequences. Operant conditioners use reinforcement schedules to shape behaviors by rewarding desired responses. They can train animals to perform tasks and detect sensory stimuli. Schedules of intermittent reinforcement produce stable, schedule-controlled behaviors useful for studying mechanisms of action. Skinner argued operant conditioning could improve education by emphasizing positive reinforcement over punishment, though his views on human nature were controversial.
Effects of Subordination on Ornectes Virilis Performance in Mirror TestsDarbi O'Brien
1) The study examined how subordination affects crayfish behavior in mirror tests. Small crayfish were observed before and after being dominated by a larger crayfish competitor.
2) An ethogram with 8 behaviors was used to record the small crayfish's behavior over two 15-minute observation periods - one before competing and one after being subordinate.
3) Statistical analysis using a sign test found no significant changes in the crayfish's behaviors from before to after subordination. The results could not confirm that subordination affects crayfish mirror test behavior.
The Impact of Olfactory Stimulation on the Behavior and Hormone Levels of the...Jourdan Ringenberg
This document discusses the impact of olfactory stimulation on the behavior and hormone levels of African lions in captivity at the Detroit Zoo. It notes that lions in captivity lack the ability to engage in natural hunting and scavenging behaviors, which can lead to increased stress, inactivity, and stereotypical behaviors. Several studies found that introducing scents from prey animals increased investigative behaviors, activity levels, social behaviors, and play behaviors in captive lions, and decreased stress hormone levels. The document suggests olfactory enrichment may help reduce stress and encourage more natural behaviors in captive lions.
Conventional & newer aspects in taxonomyManideep Raj
1. Taxonomy uses various conventional and newer approaches to characterize and identify species based on different types of characters.
2. Morphological, embryological, ecological, behavioral, and geographic approaches are discussed as important taxonomic methods. Each approach uses different observable traits.
3. The use of multiple character sets from different approaches provides a more accurate fit between species taxa and evolutionary relationships than using only one type of character.
Zebrafish are commonly used as a model organism in research due to their low cost, small size, rapid development and reproduction. They naturally live in schools for protection against predators. School size can vary depending on environmental conditions, with fish preferring larger or more active schools. Both males and females establish dominance hierarchies through aggressive behaviors like chasing and biting. Males court females through behaviors like nudging and leading them to spawn sites, where the male aligns to induce egg-laying.
This document outlines the course objectives, topics, and schedule for a Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrate course. The course aims to compare the anatomical systems of different vertebrate groups and discuss their evolution over time. Topics include the origin of chordates and vertebrates, anatomical systems like integument and skeleton, and how these systems compare across classes. Learning objectives emphasize understanding anatomical structures and their functions, as well as tracing evolutionary relationships. The course utilizes lectures, labs, group work and other active learning methods over its 13-week term.
This document outlines the course objectives, topics, and schedule for a Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrate course. The course aims to compare the anatomical systems of different vertebrate groups and discuss their evolution over time. Topics include the origin of chordates and vertebrates, anatomical systems like integument and skeleton, and how these systems compare across classes. Learning objectives emphasize understanding anatomical structures and their functions, as well as tracing the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The course schedule lists weekly topics, assignments, and values that will be emphasized.
The document summarizes research on the functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the role of long-term potentiation (LTP). It discusses how the PFC is involved in decision making, error detection, executive control, and modulation of remote spatial memories. Experiments show that transient inactivation of the PFC decreases recently acquired voluntary behaviors like wheel running in rats. Other experiments demonstrate that inhibition of the PFC reduces freezing responses to learned fears. Additional research presented finds that the PFC is necessary for retrieval of remote spatial memories in mice over 30 days. Finally, the document discusses how dopamine modulation in the PFC improves retrieval of remote spatial memories in rats.
The study quantified the schooling behavior of fathead minnows when exposed to a predatory stimulus. Six minnows were placed in a tank and their schooling area and reaction time were measured over 10 trials before, during, and after introduction of a ping pong ball predator. The results showed the minnows' schooling area was largest before, smallest during, and mid-sized after introduction of the predator, demonstrating they form tight schools as an anti-predator behavior. Future studies will infect the minnows with a parasite to test how infection affects their schooling behavior.
The NOVA program discusses how dogs evolved from wolves through two competing theories:
1) Wolves were adopted by Stone Age humans and selectively bred for tameness. 2) Wolves essentially domesticated themselves by foraging near human dumps, where tameness was advantageous. The program explores how traits like tails and ears differ from wolves, considers experiments showing how selection for tameness produced dog-like traits, and proposes theories on how diversity and adaptation abilities arose in dogs. It also reviews problems with genetic diseases in purebred dogs.
This document discusses the criteria of psychological plausibility for ethical theories, including cohesion, achievability, impact, transition, and congruence. It examines issues with psychological plausibility in animal ethics theories, specifically pure agential views and theories opposed by disgust responses. It suggests that a strategy for improving plausibility is to identify efficient transition steps toward the ethical goals.
This document discusses animal welfare for 4th year veterinary students. It introduces animal welfare as how an animal copes with its living conditions, and defines an animal with good welfare as healthy, comfortable, safe, and able to express natural behaviors without suffering. Good animal welfare requires preventing disease, providing shelter, humane handling, and meeting nutritional needs. The "Five Freedoms" framework assesses welfare based on an animal's freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and ability to express normal behaviors. The document emphasizes that animals experience feelings and sensations, so their welfare is important and should be properly cared for.
This document provides ethical guidelines for the care and use of animals in health research in Nepal. It was created by the Nepal Health Research Council to ensure animals are treated humanely and research follows international standards. The guidelines cover responsible conduct of research, housing and care of animals, acquiring and transporting animals, research procedures, field research, educational use of animals, record keeping, and oversight by an ethical review board. The goal is to promote the welfare of animals used in research while advancing scientific knowledge.
Lecture to students at the SOCRATES / ERASMUS INTERNATIONAL COURSE 2003, ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht,The Netherlands
Today there exists a wide spectrum of views on this subject, ranging from those concerned with animal 'rights' to those who view animals only as a resource to be exploited.
All of thThe five freedoms were originally developed from a UK Government report on livestock husbandry in 1965 (Prof.Roger Brambell) then by Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) In July 1979
Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour .
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area .
Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
The document discusses animal ethics and care in biomedical research. It covers:
1. The importance of animal models in biomedical research due to their biological similarities to humans.
2. A brief history of animal ethics regulations globally and in India, including the establishment of organizations like CPCSEA to oversee animal experimentation.
3. Guidelines from CPCSEA on proper veterinary care, procurement, quarantine, and disease control for animals used in research.
The document discusses animal welfare from scientific, ethical, and legal perspectives. It defines animal welfare as considering how human actions affect the physical and mental states of animals. The concepts of physical status, mental status, and naturalness are introduced as three aspects of animal welfare. Behavioral indicators are an important tool for assessing animal welfare as behaviors reveal how animals feel and what they prefer. The Five Freedoms framework is also discussed as a common approach for evaluating animal welfare.
1. This study compared the speed, grooming, and seeking behaviors of North and South American cockroaches using the cockroach as a model organism.
2. The researchers recorded and analyzed grooming behaviors in North American cockroaches during 30 minute sessions and found differences in grooming of various body parts.
3. They administered octopamine and vanilla to North American cockroaches and found it increased their grooming behaviors, showing neuromodulation of this behavior.
B.F. Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning which examines how behaviors are influenced by consequences. Operant conditioners use reinforcement schedules to shape behaviors by rewarding desired responses. They can train animals to perform tasks and detect sensory stimuli. Schedules of intermittent reinforcement produce stable, schedule-controlled behaviors useful for studying mechanisms of action. Skinner argued operant conditioning could improve education by emphasizing positive reinforcement over punishment, though his views on human nature were controversial.
Effects of Subordination on Ornectes Virilis Performance in Mirror TestsDarbi O'Brien
1) The study examined how subordination affects crayfish behavior in mirror tests. Small crayfish were observed before and after being dominated by a larger crayfish competitor.
2) An ethogram with 8 behaviors was used to record the small crayfish's behavior over two 15-minute observation periods - one before competing and one after being subordinate.
3) Statistical analysis using a sign test found no significant changes in the crayfish's behaviors from before to after subordination. The results could not confirm that subordination affects crayfish mirror test behavior.
The Impact of Olfactory Stimulation on the Behavior and Hormone Levels of the...Jourdan Ringenberg
This document discusses the impact of olfactory stimulation on the behavior and hormone levels of African lions in captivity at the Detroit Zoo. It notes that lions in captivity lack the ability to engage in natural hunting and scavenging behaviors, which can lead to increased stress, inactivity, and stereotypical behaviors. Several studies found that introducing scents from prey animals increased investigative behaviors, activity levels, social behaviors, and play behaviors in captive lions, and decreased stress hormone levels. The document suggests olfactory enrichment may help reduce stress and encourage more natural behaviors in captive lions.
Conventional & newer aspects in taxonomyManideep Raj
1. Taxonomy uses various conventional and newer approaches to characterize and identify species based on different types of characters.
2. Morphological, embryological, ecological, behavioral, and geographic approaches are discussed as important taxonomic methods. Each approach uses different observable traits.
3. The use of multiple character sets from different approaches provides a more accurate fit between species taxa and evolutionary relationships than using only one type of character.
Zebrafish are commonly used as a model organism in research due to their low cost, small size, rapid development and reproduction. They naturally live in schools for protection against predators. School size can vary depending on environmental conditions, with fish preferring larger or more active schools. Both males and females establish dominance hierarchies through aggressive behaviors like chasing and biting. Males court females through behaviors like nudging and leading them to spawn sites, where the male aligns to induce egg-laying.
This document outlines the course objectives, topics, and schedule for a Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrate course. The course aims to compare the anatomical systems of different vertebrate groups and discuss their evolution over time. Topics include the origin of chordates and vertebrates, anatomical systems like integument and skeleton, and how these systems compare across classes. Learning objectives emphasize understanding anatomical structures and their functions, as well as tracing evolutionary relationships. The course utilizes lectures, labs, group work and other active learning methods over its 13-week term.
This document outlines the course objectives, topics, and schedule for a Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrate course. The course aims to compare the anatomical systems of different vertebrate groups and discuss their evolution over time. Topics include the origin of chordates and vertebrates, anatomical systems like integument and skeleton, and how these systems compare across classes. Learning objectives emphasize understanding anatomical structures and their functions, as well as tracing the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The course schedule lists weekly topics, assignments, and values that will be emphasized.
The document summarizes research on the functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the role of long-term potentiation (LTP). It discusses how the PFC is involved in decision making, error detection, executive control, and modulation of remote spatial memories. Experiments show that transient inactivation of the PFC decreases recently acquired voluntary behaviors like wheel running in rats. Other experiments demonstrate that inhibition of the PFC reduces freezing responses to learned fears. Additional research presented finds that the PFC is necessary for retrieval of remote spatial memories in mice over 30 days. Finally, the document discusses how dopamine modulation in the PFC improves retrieval of remote spatial memories in rats.
The study quantified the schooling behavior of fathead minnows when exposed to a predatory stimulus. Six minnows were placed in a tank and their schooling area and reaction time were measured over 10 trials before, during, and after introduction of a ping pong ball predator. The results showed the minnows' schooling area was largest before, smallest during, and mid-sized after introduction of the predator, demonstrating they form tight schools as an anti-predator behavior. Future studies will infect the minnows with a parasite to test how infection affects their schooling behavior.
The NOVA program discusses how dogs evolved from wolves through two competing theories:
1) Wolves were adopted by Stone Age humans and selectively bred for tameness. 2) Wolves essentially domesticated themselves by foraging near human dumps, where tameness was advantageous. The program explores how traits like tails and ears differ from wolves, considers experiments showing how selection for tameness produced dog-like traits, and proposes theories on how diversity and adaptation abilities arose in dogs. It also reviews problems with genetic diseases in purebred dogs.
This document discusses the criteria of psychological plausibility for ethical theories, including cohesion, achievability, impact, transition, and congruence. It examines issues with psychological plausibility in animal ethics theories, specifically pure agential views and theories opposed by disgust responses. It suggests that a strategy for improving plausibility is to identify efficient transition steps toward the ethical goals.
1) The document discusses how sperm have evolved traits that drive speciation and the evolution of new species. Sperm are small, motile, and genetically diverse due to meiosis, putting selection pressure on diploid cells.
2) Experiments on fruit flies showed that sexual selection and male mating behaviors were important determinants of reproductive influence, not sperm size or number.
3) Studies suggest population size can be used to trace evolutionary traits related to sexual selection, though genetic drift must be ruled out as the sole cause of any evolutionary processes observed.
Female Bias for Enlarged Male Body and Dorsal Fins in Xiphophorus variatusjohndgagnon
This article summarizes an experiment that tested female preferences in Xiphophorus variatus fish. The experiment had 3 parts that tested preferences for: 1) body size while holding dorsal fin size constant, 2) dorsal fin size while holding body size constant, and 3) dorsal fin to body size ratio while holding total lateral projection area constant. In all parts, researchers used dummy fish that varied one trait while holding others constant. Females spent more time near dummies with larger bodies and dorsal fins. However, females showed no preference based on dorsal fin to body size ratio when total area was held constant. This provides additional support that female preference in this species is for increased total lateral projection area rather than a specific trait or
Ethology is the scientific and objective study of animal behaviour, usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait. Ethology is a branch of zoology concerned with the study of animal behavior. Ethologists take a comparative approach, studying behaviors ranging from kinship, cooperation, and parental investment, to conflict, sexual selection, and aggression across a variety of species.
This document summarizes a study that examined rats' ability to learn and apply a matching-to-sample task in a radial maze. The study found that rats demonstrated flexibility and quicker learning when given a second attempt to find the reward, reflecting their ability to encode and apply a matching rule. Improvement on the first attempt over trials reflected changes in how rats ranked their acquired memories and behavioral strategies. A second experiment found that trained rats learned to prefer matching the first sample presented when given two samples, showing they could rearrange the ranks of stored memories.
39.Testicular enzymes in silkworms eposed to high temperature and RM values o...Annadurai B
This document reports on a study that investigated the effects of high temperature and mating on testicular enzymes and band patterns in silkworm moths. The study found that some enzymes like succinate and glutamate dehydrogenases increased sperm production, while malate dehydrogenase reduced it. Esterase enzymes were important for copulation. Electrophoresis revealed different band patterns for virgin, mated, and egg-laying moths. Temperature and humidity in January were found to be most favorable for sperm and egg production.
Understanding the behavior of domestic emus a means to improve their manageme...Deepa Menon
This research article studied the behavior of domestic emus on a farm to improve their management and welfare. The researchers observed 8 emus over 12 days, recording their behaviors every 30 minutes. They identified major behaviors like eating, drinking, standing, walking, grooming, socializing, vocalizing, and resting. The emus spent most of their time walking, standing, and eating. When moved to a new pen, the emus initially huddled together away from resident birds. The time spent on different activities did not differ between males and females. The study provided information on common emu behaviors that can help assess their welfare.
Curious monkeys have increased gray matter density in the precuneusFrancys Subiaul
Curiosity is a cornerstone of cognition that has the potential to lead to innovations and increase the behavioral repertoire of individuals. A defining characteristic of curiosity is inquisitiveness directed toward novel objects. Species differences in innovative behavior and inquisitiveness have been linked to social complexity and neocortical size. In this study, we observed behavioral actions among nine socially reared and socially housed capuchin monkeys in response to an unfamiliar object, a paradigm widely employed as a means to assess curiosity. K-means hierarchical clustering analysis of the behavioral
responses revealed three monkeys engaged in significantly more exploratory behavior of the novel object than other monkeys. Using voxel-based-morphometry analysis of MRIs obtained from these same subjects, we demonstrated that the more curious monkeys had significantly greater gray matter density in the precuneus, a cortical region involved in highly integrated processes including memory and self-awareness. These results linking variation in precuneus gray matter volume to exploratory behavior suggest that monitoring states of self-awareness may play a role in cognitive processes mediating individual curiosity.
Similar to Exploring Different Techniques in Animal Behavior by Josh Rieskamp (20)
When Truths Collide Ways of Approaching The Religious Other by Jeannie CorbittBrown Fellows Program
The document summarizes the author's experiences with three different religiously-focused organizations over the summer:
1) The Camino de Crestone interfaith pilgrimage, which exposed the author to various spiritual traditions with a pluralistic vision of interreligious relationships.
2) The "Discerning the Signs of the Times" conference, where liberal Christian thinkers advocated for secularized political solutions to social problems rather than religious ones.
3) Volunteering at the South Asian Friendship Center, a Christian mission that seeks to convert local Hindu and Muslim communities through social services and evangelism.
The experiences highlighted both benefits and disadvantages of different approaches to religious pluralism and relationships with religious others.
Kathryn Ashby completed a service trip to Cebu City, Philippines where she taught engineering lessons and helped install a water purification system. She then interned at GE Aviation developing additive manufacturing processes for jet engine parts. During her internship, she worked towards her private pilot's license, gaining flight experience across several states. Now she has a job at a startup focused on additive manufacturing software and plans to obtain more pilot certifications.
Understanding and Preventing the Obesity Epidemic by Albert AnastasioBrown Fellows Program
The document summarizes the student's experiences over three summers conducting research related to nutrition, obesity, and public health. During the summers, the student traveled to Panama, Mexico, China, South Korea, and worked at the Harvard School of Public Health. At Harvard, the student assisted with research projects on perceptions of physical activity in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood and factors influencing biking rates among different populations. The student gained experience with various stages of epidemiological research and writing.
The document summarizes Rachel Geil's experiences volunteering in Ecuador and interning in Kentucky. In Peru, she studied traditional Andean culture and found they view the world as having reciprocal relationships between nature, gods, and people, in contrast to Western thought which views humanity as having authority over nature. In Ecuador, she volunteered at CENIT, an organization assisting working children, coaching soccer and working in their street outreach program. Her internship in Kentucky involved creating a directory for a local food organization and attending a leadership summit on issues like supporting beginning farmers.
Joey Shaw designed a volunteer project to spend five weeks in Peru assisting in a physical education program at a school and living with a host family. This provided an opportunity to help children and experience Peruvian culture. After returning to Louisville, Joey volunteered and observed local physicians to gain more exposure to medicine and maintain a focus on becoming a physician. The project successfully allowed Joey to volunteer internationally while also furthering short and long-term career goals in the medical field through domestic shadowing experiences.
The Jozef Stefan Institute focuses on research in physics, engineering, and mathematics. The document discusses working in the Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics on ionized-gas plasmas. The main goals of the project were to gain knowledge about different types of ionized-gas plasmas and how they can be used industrially, and to improve engineering research techniques. The largest part of the summer was spent studying how microwave plasma treatment affects the hydrophobicity of plastics like PLA and PET. Samples were exposed to low-pressure gas plasmas at various powers and times, and contact angle was measured to show changes in hydrophobicity. The results showed that higher plasma powers and pressures of 50 or 80 Pa typically
Looking Ahead – Governor’s Scholars Program and Baptist Health by Ethan Tomli...Brown Fellows Program
The document summarizes the author's experiences in various roles related to their education and career exploration. They spent 7 weeks in Mexico working as a medical intern and studying Spanish. They then worked as a Resident Advisor for 6 weeks at a summer program in Kentucky, where they helped lead and engage 28 high school students. For their final project, they worked as an orderly at a hospital in Louisville, assisting with non-medical patient care and transporting patients for surgery.
Matt Hughes studied Latin epigraphy with Dr. Kalin Stoev and traveled throughout the Roman Empire tracking and translating over 200 inscriptions. He spent time in the provinces of Britannia, Italia, Narbonensis, Mauretania, and Aquitania. Next, he plans to attend the American Academy in Rome's summer classical studies program. Hughes also spent five days at the University of Louisville learning about Roman burial practices and translating epitaphs from the Speed Art Museum collection which contains almost 200 unique inscriptions obtained from a cemetery near Rome.
Internship at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden by Katherine RolandBrown Fellows Program
The internship at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden involved assisting with several projects including monitoring plant populations in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness, collecting and processing plant specimens and seeds, propagating native plants in the nursery, and helping in the herbarium. The intern helped monitor the endangered Berberis nevinii by collecting specimens, developing monitoring protocols, and executing monitoring of an introduced population. They gained experience in many areas of the garden including field work, propagation, seed processing, and the herbarium.
The PPI Analysis Project involved extracting index data for five-digit and six-digit NAICS industries from 2008 to 2013. The data was displayed graphically showing percentage changes in indexes starting from 2008. Correlation coefficients were calculated to measure how well six-digit industries moved with five-digit industries. The original project examined characteristics like sector and size that help explain how long establishments report prices to the PPI survey before quitting. Regression analysis found these characteristics impact attrition.
The document summarizes the author's previous projects, enrichment activities, language studies, and future plans. It includes the following information:
- The author spent summers volunteering in Italy, Nepal, and Guatemala, and studied abroad in Morocco for 9 months.
- In 2013, she taught English in Nepal and saw issues with corruption and misuse of funds at a local NGO.
- She studied Arabic intensively in Morocco and at the University of Texas, with the goal of becoming fluent.
- The author plans to complete her psychology degree and Arabic studies, then spend a year studying Arabic in Qatar before applying to graduate programs to earn a Master's and PhD in Arabic ped
Health and Outreach Across Latin Ammerica, Guatemala and Peru by Megan DurhamBrown Fellows Program
Megan Durham volunteered at public health organizations in Guatemala and Peru over two summers to explore career opportunities in public health and psychology. In Guatemala, she gave seminars on topics like hygiene and studied at a public health NGO, assisting a clinic with malnutrition evaluations. In Peru, she volunteered at a women's center that houses teenage mothers, helping in childcare and developmental activities. Going forward, she hopes to gain lab experience in cancer research or another science field through future enrichment projects.
This document summarizes the author's experience interning with the Fox Business Network production team for CAVUTO, a primetime business news show. The author learned how to research important business milestones and stories on how government policy impacts business. As part of the production team, the author helped create graphics, video clips, and charts to engage viewers beyond just listening to anchors. The internship provided insight into how daily business news shows are planned and produced, as well as how guests are brought on to contribute their expertise.
Billy Menkhaus spent spring 2013 interning in civil engineering in Panama City, Panama, working on major infrastructure projects like the Panama Canal expansion and metro rail system, while also volunteering with a medical mission. In fall 2013, he volunteered in Jinja, Uganda at a ministry for special needs children and with a water organization, gaining experience in humanitarian efforts. He hopes to return to Uganda to continue projects building a malnutrition clinic, playground, and water system, and helping his friends' ministry.
Sara Loy spent her summer interning at Benjamin Press, an independent publishing house focused on tea texts. Her major project was editing The New Tea Companion, where she redesigned content and layout. She also traveled to research a Japanese tea jar in Washington D.C. and completed a part-time internship summarizing manuscripts for the University Press of Kentucky. Through her varied roles editing, designing, researching, and assisting, Sara gained experience in the publishing field and feels prepared to pursue a career in editorial work.
This document summarizes the speaker's past educational and volunteer experiences. It includes:
- Teaching physics and coaching soccer in Vietnam from June to July 2014 for students ages 10-15.
- Attending an advanced facilitation training program in Arizona from August 6th-15th, focusing on social justice, permaculture, and border wall debates.
- Expressing gratitude to supporting organizations for making experiences like teaching in Vietnam possible and helping shape their career path.
Exploring Different Techniques in Animal Behavior by Josh Rieskamp
1. Exploring Different Techniques in Animal Behavior
Josh Rieskamp, Centre College
Abstract
My enrichment for the summer of 2012 involved two research projects that
employed two distinct techniques in animal behavior research. On the island of
Ometepe, Nicaragua, I designed and implemented a study in which I used field research
Male Mantled Howler Monkeys on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
methods to examine the effect of male mantled howler affiliations on subordinate male Male (left) and Female (right) Japanese quails
Photo from www.scienceblogs.com
Photo Credit: Colleen Friedly participation in howling displays. After returning to the states, I collaborated with Dr.
Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) Field Study Cusato to test the reinforcing properties of a species-specific vocalization, the male Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Laboratory Experiment
separation call, on male and female Japanese quails using a conditioned place
Background preference (CPP) paradigm. Through my exposure to both field and laboratory methods Background
On the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua, the rising sun is accompanied by the roars in animal behavior, I acquired an appreciation for the advantages and disadvantages of In a previous study, Dr. Cusato collaborated with students to determine
of mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) echoing down the slopes of Vulcan each discipline and the necessity of conducting both types of research to gain a more whether male Japanese quails could learn to become more efficient at mating
Maderas. These vocal displays can be intimidating when members of a group howl holistic understanding of many essential questions in animal behavior. from a species-specific stimulus paired with the presence of a female. The
cooperatively, as has been observed during standoffs between rival groups (Wang and species-specific stimulus was the male separation call, a vocalization produced
Milton, 2003). Interestingly, there is variation in terms of individual participation Mantled Howler Field Study by male Japanese quails when they are separated from a female before mating
within a group during howling displays, ranging from only a single male howling to all can occur. Using a biologically relevant stimulus like the separation call as
Procedure opposed to an arbitrary stimulus helps take into account an organism’s ecology
members of the group participating (Kitchen et al., 2004). Additionally, studies have
I collected data for three groups of mantled howlers living in two forests at
revealed differences in the level of cooperative howling between two mantled howler Ometepe over a period of five days during the rainy season, from June 7, 2012 to June (the environment in which behaviors undergo selective pressures) that laboratory
groups of similar size and composition ( Dias et al., 2009). 11, 2012. I conducted 10 minute focal samples on all adult males in each group, studies often fail to simulate (Timberlake, 1983).
These differences in the contributions of individuals to howling displays likely recording at 30 second intervals the behavior of the focal subject, the identity and My study will be used in conjunction with this study to examine the
result from an assessment of the potential costs of participation versus those of estimated proximity of the focal subject’s nearest neighbor, and the focal subject’s reinforcing properties of the separation call using a conditioned place preference
proximity from the alpha male. Simultaneously to focal sample collection, I conducted (CPP) paradigm.
nonparticipation. Participation in howling is energetically demanding and can even
all-occurrence instantaneous scan samples for every observed bout of howling in which
become deadly during encounters between groups when it reveals the vocalizer’s I recorded the estimated proximity from the alpha male and participation or Procedure
position to members of the rival group (Kitchen et al., 2004). Conversely, participation nonparticipation in howling for all adult males in the group. Subjects: Twelve male and twelve female Japanese quails with the same
in howling may actually deter physical fights between groups and can result in the hatch dates were chosen from a stock bred at Centre College.
successful defense of food resources if an individual’s participation gives its group a
Results Pre-test: Each of the subjects was allowed to move freely about the
numeric advantage over the opponent group (Kitchen et al., 2004). Furthermore, strong conditioned place preference apparatus for 5 minutes to determine a
baseline preference for one context or the other.
cooperative howling displays can successfully repel takeover attempts by single
Training: For each of the six training days, each of the subjects was
immigrant males or coalitions of males that would impose fitness costs on resident exposed to one of the contexts in the morning and the other context in
males through infanticide or monopolizing access to reproductive females (Dias et al., the afternoon. The context for which the subject displayed a baseline
2009). preference was paired for five minutes with the 20 Hz tone and the other
As dominant mantled howler males often have exclusive access to estrous females context was paired for five minutes with the separation call.
Testing: At the end of the six day training phase, subjects were allowed
(Wang & Milton, 2003), the cost of nonparticipation in howling should be higher for
to move freely about the conditioned place preference (CPP) apparatus
dominant males than for subordinate males. Therefore, alpha males are expected to for five minutes. The time spent in each context was recorded.
contribute more to group defense. However, alpha males may allow subordinate males
to mate with group females. With a genetic investment in the group, subordinate males
CPP Apparatus
are more likely to aid in group defense (Wang & Milton, 2003). Studies have also
suggested that subordinate males are more likely to participate in howling displays
when there is a high degree of familiarity between the alpha male and the subordinate
(Kitchen et al., 2004; Dias et al., 2009).
Therefore, subordinate males should be more likely to howl if they have close
affiliations with the alpha male and less likely to howl if they do not. Using spatial Implications
proximities within a group as an indicator of affiliations (Wang and Milton, 2003), Subordinate males that maintained a closer average proximity to
subordinate males should participate in a higher percentage of howling displays if they the alpha male participated in a greater percentage of howling displays.
maintain closer spatial proximities to the alpha male and participate in a lower These results support the hypothesis that subordinate males are more
likely to howl if they have a close affiliation with the alpha male and are
percentage of howling displays if they keep their distance from the alpha male.
less likely to howl if they do not and corroborate previous studies
suggesting that familiarity among males results in a greater amount of References
Dias, P.A.D., Rangel-Negrin, A., Veá, J.J., and Canales-Espinosa, D. (2009). Coalitions and male-male
cooperative howling.
behavior in Alouatta palliata. Primates, 51:91-94.
A possible explanation for familiarity among males leading to Kitchen, D.M., Horwich, R.H., and James, R.A. (2004). Subordinate male black howler monkey (Alouatta
greater cooperative howling is that long-term affiliations with the alpha pigra) responses to loud calls: experimental evidence for the effects of intra-group male relationships
male may allow subordinate males to mate with group females and thus and age. Behaviour, 141: 703-723.
become genetically invested in group defense. It is therefore imperative Timberlake, W. (1983). The Functional Organization of Appetitive Behavior: Behavior Systems and
for future studies to incorporate genetic tests to assess the roles of Learning. Zeiler, M.D. and Harzem, P. (eds.). Advances in Analysis of Behavior: Biological Factors in
Learning (Vol. 3). (pp. 177-221) New York: John Wiley and Sons.
kinship and paternity in male mantled howler affiliations. Wang, E. and Milton, K. (2003). Intragroup social relationships of male Alouatta palliata on Barro
Colorado Island, Republic of Panama. International Journal of Primatology. 24: 1227-1243.