Lab 2 animal behavior bettas fall 2014
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Transcript of Lab 2 animal behavior bettas fall 2014
Betta Behavior Lab
Natural Science Biology LabUniversity of Akron
#NSB2014 1
Today’s Lab will allow student to:
Demonstrate an understanding of ethology through careful observations.
Understand the difference between cues, stimuli, and triggers.
Differentiate between betta in the wild, versus betta raised in captivity.
Compare and contrast interspecific and intraspecific behaviors.
Describe betta behavior without using anthropomorphic terminology.
#NSB2014 2
Ethology = study of animal behavior Behaviors are responses to various stimuli A stimulus is anything that triggers a response
(ie. light, sight of food, rival male) One of the most common behaviors among
animals (including humans) is fighting
SPARRING
#NSB2014 3
The importance of animal contests
Why do animals fight? Food Defense Social status Territories for breeding/spawning
#NSB2014 4
Betta splendens: the Siamese Fighting Fish Males have evolved to be extremely aggressive Agonistic behaviors are exhibited between males
to assert dominance Dominant males have greater access to females
and thus higher fitness
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In lab today we will be…
Studying the behaviors of betta fish in response to various stimuli, cues, and triggers
Interpreting these behaviors in the context of natural selection (Why would certain behaviors be chosen for?)
Avoiding anthropomorphisms like “this fish is mad” or “that guy was scared”
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Where are bettas found in the wild?
• Rice Paddies• Slow moving streams
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How can bettas survive in murky, muddy rice paddies?
Labyrinth organ Allows fish to “gulp
air” Fish swims to the
surface and takes a gulp of atmospheric oxygen, which supplements the oxygen received through the gills
Still found in domesticated bettas
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Wild Betta brederi (different species)
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Selective breeding has produced amazing color variations
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Intraspecific behaviors
Agonistic behaviorsFin flickeringTail beatingRaising finsNipping or biting
Aggression against your own species#NSB2014 11
Interspecific behaviors
Individuals of different species compete for resources.
Examples – food, living space, sunlight
Students observing bettas may affect the experiment
#NSB2014 12
Note about animal ethics Fish get “stressed” much the same as we do Follow the guidelines described in the lab to
minimize undue stress All Animal research done in an Accredited
University has to go through IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) which provides intense, research-based protocols.
People cannot just do animal research – must be grounded in theory, use standard protocols, and be as ethical as possible#NSB2014 13
If you were a betta fish, what would your world look like, from inside that tiny tank?
#NSB2014 14