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. 10-15 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 TheoryOptimality models try to predict the combination of
costs and benefits that will ultimately maximize an individual’s inclusive fitness
costsbenefits
Net gain
Net loss
benefitscosts
Categories of BehaviorBehavioral States vs. Events
States EventsLonger
“timed with a stopwatch”Short, instantaneous events
SwimmingAmount of time
Jump# of occurrences
Stickleback behavior
• http://www.arkive.org/three-spined-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 eventsWhy 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 ComparisonExample
• 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-testComparison 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
E-mail to Grace: [email protected]. Present next week
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