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Independent Research Projects

December 10, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

During the Fall 2007 semester, the Animal Behavior students performed independent research projects. The following is an abstract of Andrea Batista’s research.

-Karrie Rathbone

A study was conducted upon the theory that Bos taurus (cattle) would be more aggressive when feeding at a feeder and/or stanchion as compared to grazing in an open pasture. The hypothesis was tested by quantifying the amount as well as the different types, 14 total, of behaviors observed. Three different locations were used, each allowing cattle to graze freely in corn and wheat, sedan grass and broam, or Bermuda and fescue grass. The locations also contained smaller holding pens where cattle could feed upon bales of hay at their convenience. This study was conducted in the Fall season in central Kansas. There was no manipulation of cattle, feed, grazing areas, etc during this experiment—strictly natural reaction to habitat and environment observed. Through observation it was shown that cattle have a higher tendency to engage in some sort of physical confrontation with one another when near a feeder. While grazing in the pasture, chances are low, and at the stanchions even lower yet. However, application of more in-depth strategies and consistency in observation techniques need to be implemented. This could provide more accurate figures as well as inclinations of differences caused by weather and sort or time of day. Yet in conclusion, Bos taurus has a tendency to be significantly more aggressive in its fight for food when by a feeder than would be in a pasture or stanchion.

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October 25, 2007

October 30, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

Human Physiology and Anatomy students were active ‘brain surgeons’ on their on-going mink dissection. The goal of the laboratory session was to properly remove the cranium ‘cap’ to expose the dura matter meninges (protective covering) the cerebrum, cerebellum and the cranial nerves. Many students were competing to see if they could find all cranial nerves intact – including the optic nerve connecting to the eyes. Others were very motivated to remove the brain in one piece. The exposed brain surface showed the gyri and sulci clearly and once the cerebrum was bi-sected into right and left hemispheres, the corpus callosum and lateral ventricles were easily viewed.

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October 26, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

The newest members to the Tabor Herpetological Society are a 1 1/2 year old African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) and a 4 year old Green Iguana (Iguana iguana). Both are herbivores that are tropical and long-lived. The Iguana is an arboreal lizard that has a life-span of 20 years and the Tortoise may live 50 years (and weigh potentially a 100 lbs.). The Iguana was recently named Cheroake (by the Animal Behavior group) and enjoys leisurely afternoons basking by the stream in its ficus tree.

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October 2, 2007

October 11, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

The Animal Behavior research group set out to observe insect behavior in a fall prairie setting at the Marion Reservoir (by Broken bridge). The Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus) is a species common to the area and is found on Goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) and Maximillian (perennial) Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliianii) plants. Many orb spiders (Argiopinae species) were seen making webs across the tall grasses of Big blue stem (Andropogon gerardi), Little blue stem (Andropogon scoparius) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans). Also seen on the milkweed plants (Asclepias speciosa) were some Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae. Students involved in this research group are (left to right); Ashley Holland, (Prof Rathbone), Stephanie Johnson, Stephanie Welz, Ashley Cohlmia, Andrea Batista, and Kyle Schmidt.

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October 9, 2007

October 11, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

Studies on arachnid prey selection was performed by the Animal Behavior group. Selected arachnids were the wolf (Lycosa gulosa) spider (provided by Julie Henderson) and a black widow (Latrodectus mactans) spider (provided by Vance Frick). Both arachnids were presented with diverse prey (including; crickets, beetles, flies, other spiders, grasshoppers) in a darkened box. The wolf spider normally hides among litter by day and hunts at night. It secures a drag line before leaping upon potential prey. The wolf spider preferred catching flies and avoided all other prey choices. The black widow habitat is found among fallen branches and under objects of many kinds. It produced a web immediately and secured all of the prey choices (draining their fluids) and then retreating into a darkened area under the lid.

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Animal Behavior Research Group

October 02, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

On Tuesday, September 25th, the Animal Behavior research group went to Marion reservoir to observe the presence of different bird species/water fowl and categorize different behaviors. Students did observations at the Causeway Bridge and Broken-Bridge areas. Some species observed included; American White Pelicans, Great Egrets, Double Crested Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls and Northern Harriers.

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September 25th, 2007

September 25, 2007

Categories: Science Experience

Crayfish were caught by Luke Thielen at the Hillsboro City Park pond to be used in observational experiments by the Animal Behavior Laboratory group. The Lab group set up assessment strategies to evaluate Agonistic Behavior in Crayfish. Male-Male and Male-Female pairs were observed for retreating, non-threatening or threatening behavior. The group integrated qualitative and quantitative observational skills to this particular species’ behavior.

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