 |
|||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Animal Behavior |
|
|
Animal Behavior and Evolution
Research Mentor: Dr. Scott McRobert Research Interests: The genetic, ecological, and evolutionary foundations of animal behavior Research in my laboratory involves examination of animal behavior through studies of rare and exotic species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, as well as more common experimental organisms such as Drosophila. Our work with fish focuses on shoaling behavior and the factors that fish utilize when choosing shoalmates. We have shown that morphological features such as body coloration, pattern, size, and shape, as well as features of the shoal such as group size and species composition all have an impact on shoaling. In almost all cases, fish shoal with individuals that have features similar to their own. This may benefit them through the ‘Confusion Effect’ in which predators have difficulty identifying and attacking an individual within a group of phenotypically similar fish. We have examined shoaling in a number of different species and are now looking at the effect of experience and learning on shoaling behavior. Our amphibian work focuses on environmental factors such as temperature, pH, density and pollution that influence metamorphosis. We are currently looking at metamorphosis across a wide variety of poison frogs and we run a yearly project in which elementary school children study metamorphosis in American toads. Our reptile work involves the study of life history traits in rare turtle species. Working with the Turtle Survival Alliance we currently house a number of assurance colonies containing some of the world’s most endangered species. Finally, our work with Drosophila involves analysis of the genetic and evolutionary bases of sexual behavior. Current projects include compiling a detailed description of sexual behavior across many different species, examination of interspecific interactions in natural Drosophila communities and a project to understand the effects of sleep deprivation on sexual behavior in Drosophila.
Contact Information: Dr. Scott McRobert |
|
| [Biology Home] [SJU Homepage] [CA&S] [Graduate A&S] [University College] |