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Primate Behavior Lab Focused Primate Observation (Video Clip below) Use the 15 minute video clip below of capuchin and squirrel monkeys to conduct three different types of primate behavior sampling

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Primate Behavior Lab Focused Primate Observation (Video Clip below) Use the 15 minute video clip below of capuchin and squirrel monkeys to conduct three different types of primate behavior sampling. This will mean watching the video clip three times and filling out the data sheet for each type of sampling. Link to the video: https://vimeo.com/13796260 Complete the following items on pages 2-6. 1. Ad libitum sampling: Read and follow the directions for Ad Libitum sampling. Write your observations in the space provided on p. 2. 2. Focal animal instantaneous sampling: Read and follow the directions for Focal Animal sampling. Fill in the data table on p. 3, using the behavior codes in the Woodland Park Sample Ethogram. 3. Scan sampling: Read and follow the directions for Scan Sampling in your packet. Fill in the data table on p. 4. 4. Data Analysis: Answer the data analysis and conclusion questions on pp. 5-6. 1 1. Ad Libitum Sampling Observe the primates for 15 minutes. Make note of behaviors observed in the space provided below. Attach additional sheets, if needed. In ad libitum sampling, the observer watches a group of animals and records all behaviors performed by all animals in as much detail as possible, and keeps track of the time the behaviors occurred. Since there are two different species of primates—capuchin or squirrel monkeys, you can choose to watch one species or the other; or, you can watch individual of both species. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 2 2. Focal Animal Sampling ? View the video clip again, this time observing one individual focal animal) for 15 minutes. You will be observing the monkey labeled Popeye. After each 1 minute interval, write the letter code of the behavior you observe the focal animal doing at that moment. ? ? Use the Woodland Park Zoo Sample Ethogram list of behaviors (link available in module) If you see any other behaviors you think are interesting or noteworthy, describe them in the “Behavior Notes” section. Focal animal description: _____________________________________ Time (1 min intervals) 1 Code Comments 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 3 3. Scan Sampling Watch the video clip to conduct scan sampling. Here, you will collect data at 1 minute intervals for 15 minutes. Observe all visible animals. At each interval count the number of animals displaying one of the four behavior categories (Feeding, Resting, Traveling, or Social) at that moment and write the counts with tally marks. You must select only one behavior category for each animal (even if an animal appears to be engaged in more than one behavior category). Time Intervals (1 min) # animals Feeding #animals Resting #animals Traveling #animals Social Total (no. individuals) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Totals (behavior counts) 4 Data Analysis 1. Based on the ad libitum sampling, summarize what the primates were doing during the observation time. 2. Based on the focal animal sampling, make an assessment of how the animal spent the observation period. To obtain percentage data, divide the number of observations of a particular behavior by the total number of observations in your sample. For example, if you had two observations of the animal resting, you would divide 2 by 15. Percentage data can be rounded to the nearest percent. 3. For scan sampling, calculate percentages for the four behavior categories. Do this by adding up the total number of observations for each column. Then divide those totals by the total number of observations (which should be the total of the far right column). Percentage data can be rounded to the nearest percent. 5 Conclusions 1. Which aspects of the primate observation did you find most challenging? 2. Compare the three different data collection methods. Describe how one method of data collection might work better for particular species, or particular environments. 3. Data from which type of sampling would be most easy to compare between researchers? 4. What are some advantages of studying primates in captivity vs. in the wild? 6 SAMPLE ETHOGRAM List of animal behaviors Type of Behavior Behavior Code Description of Behavior Solitary Sleep S Animal assumes species-specific position for sleep, stays in one place and is not alert to environmental changes. Rest R Animal stays in one place but may be roused easily by environmental changes. Groom self GS Animal engages in washing or smoothing its own fur or hair using tongue or forelimbs. Maintenance M Animal urinates or defecates. Travel T Animal moves from place to place. Eat E Animal consumes food it finds in its environment. Drink D Animal consumes water or other liquids found in its environment. Look for food LF Animal searches the environment for food items. Groom others GO Animal engages in washing or smoothing the fur or hair of another animal in its environment. Play P Animal engages in interactions with another animal that may involve locomotion, climbing, manipulating objects or other activities that show a relationship between two or more interacting animals. Contact C Animal comes in contact with another animal while engaging in a solitary behavior. Fight F Animal engages in physical conflict with another animal in its environment. Steal food SF Animal approaches another animal that has located food in the environment and either by physical force or distraction, removes that food item from the vicinity of the other animal. Off exhibit O Animal is not visible in exhibit. Food Related Social Aggressive Off Exhibit