Gitanjali Gnanadesikan

 Princeton University’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department.  Working with Allison Shaw in Simon Levin’s theoretical ecology lab.  Original internship title: “What factors ultimately drive migration?”

 Often applied definition: long distance, round trip, seasonal movements between two “worlds”: breeding grounds and wintering grounds (as studied in birds).  Problems with this definition:  What is “long” distance?  What if the trip is made on a different timescale: multiple times a year or once a lifetime?  What about distinct locations that are not wintering or breeding grounds?

As described by Dingle (2007): Migration is movement that… 1) Is persistent, undistracted, and directed. 2) Is of greater scale and longer duration than normal daily activities. 3) Is a seasonal back-and-forth between regions which are temporarily favorable. 4) Results in geographic redistribution within a widespread population. Dingle, Hugh. What is Migration? Bioscience. Vol. 57, Iss. 2. Pp Feb 2007.

 Most information about migration is species- specific.  Look at migration as phenomenon across taxa.  Focused on mammals to start.  Task: conduct extensive literature –based research to compile a database of migratory behaviors using new definition.  Synthesize collected to data and look for patterns.

A-to-B: Directed movement by a group of animals between two distinct locations. Examples: Humpback whales, Arctic Terns, and many iconic migrations. Dispersal-recongregation: movement away from some location and then returning to some common location. Involves individuals utilizing different resources and paths. Examples: many bats (caves), pinnipeds (breeding territories).

 Confirmation of major choice.  Valuable research experience and familiarity with the field and current research.  Basis of research to be continued this year:  Continue researching species (about ¼ of mammals done).  Look at more geographic data for patterns and relationships to climate, resources, etc.

To PEI, the EEB department, and especially Allison Shaw for a great summer internship experience. Also the AOS department for collaborations and journal club.