Lab 3: Behavior

Objectives Become familiar with methods of collecting behavior data Develop hypotheses and predictions Collect and analyze data Practice presenting data

TA feedback & Quiz 1)Get ½ sheet of paper (split with neighbor) 2)Put notes away 3)Take quiz min. Turn over when finished. 4)Write TA feedback on ½ sheet –1 thing that works well for you –1 thing you would change, how & why THANK YOU!!

Why study behavior? To better understand the relationship between animals and their environment Evolution of sociality To understand human behavior Conservation, management, pest control

individual pair group pop. species Levels of Behavior

Behavior can be inherited or learned Genetically-based, inherited Learned

Fitness: # offspring an individual contributes to the next generation relative to # offspring other individuals of the population contribute –relative genetic contribution to future generations Behavior can affect fitness Higher fitness

Fitness: # offspring an individual contributes to the next generation relative to # offspring other individuals of the population contribute –relative genetic contribution to future generations Maximize fitness through increased –Survival –Reproduction Behavior can affect fitness

Optimality Theory Optimality models try to predict the combination of costs and benefits that will ultimately maximize an individual’s inclusive fitness costs benefits Net gain Net loss benefits costs

Categories of Behavior Behavioral States vs. Events States Events Longer “timed with a stopwatch” Short, instantaneous events Swimming Amount of time Jump # of occurrences

Stickleback behavior stickleback/gasterosteus-aculeatus- aculeatus/video-ac09b.html Try to identify –States (duration) –Events (occurrence)

Methods for Observing Behavior Ad libitum – useful in gaining preliminary ideas for research Potential drawback?

Methods for Observing Behavior Ethogram - useful in developing full picture of all behaviors

Methods for Observing Behavior Focal Animal Sampling (FAS) - observe 1 individual at a time –frequencies/rates of behaviors –states and events –sometimes difficult to follow one individual Why useful?

Methods for Observing Behavior Scan Sampling - samples more than one individual at a time. –better for states rather than events Why is this the case? –data from a number of individuals at the same time

Methods for Observing Behavior Time Budgets - allows for comparisons between individuals, groups and/or species – uses durations of behaviors

Stickleback Ethogram Zig: Male darts laterally back and forth Lead: Male approaches female, then quickly turns away and swims toward nest Examine: Female puts her head into opening of nest Tustle: Males lock mouths and pull and thrash

Today’s activity Select species Observe (15-20 min) –construct ethogram Question, Hypothesis, Prediction(s) –what data do you need to collect? –what methods will you use? –make a data sheet Collect your data (20-30 min)

Today’s activity Come back after 1 hour Analyze data (mean, SE) Make graphs Presentation

Focus on Comparison Example Q: What affects rates of play in spotted hyena cubs? H: Food availability affects rates of play in spotted hyena cubs P: Cubs will play more during periods of high prey Methods: conduct Focal Animal Sampling on cubs during high prey and low prey periods comparison

Cubs play more when there is more food Test with t-test Comparison of means

Today’s activity Some potential Locations: –Behind Nat Sci (birds) –Red Cedar River behind Admin (ducks) –Beaumont tower (squirrels)

Today’s activity Select location Ethogram (15 min) Q/H/P (make comparison!!) Determine sampling method Check in with Alycia Collect data (20-30 min) Return to class I will stay in courtyard behind Nat Sci for Qs Meet back in class at: ________

Presentation Title, Authors Question, Hypothesis, Prediction(s) Methods –study site, organism, sampling methods, sample size, stats you plan to use Results –Ethogram, means, standard errors Conclusions –biological interpretation, future questions/directions to Grace: Present next week