PRIMATE BEHAVIOR & ECOLOGY FIELD COURSE
Ometepe Biological Field Station, Nicaragua (22 July – 16 August 2012)
Instructor: Dr. Amy L. Schreier, Duke University
DESCRIPTION:
This is a physically demanding field course that will cover introductory primate behavioral ecology with a focus on New World Monkeys. Emphasis will be placed on the main species present at Ometepe – mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). The course offers a wonderful opportunity to gain hands-on field experience in a truly extraordinary setting, surrounded by tropical forest, sandy beaches and looming volcanoes inhabited by a remarkable diversity of fauna and flora.
This is an intensive field course in primate behavior, and is equivalent to an upper-level undergraduate course. An enjoyment of highly physical outdoor adventures is a must! Our days are typically spent rising before dawn to go into the forest to begin observations of howler monkeys and/or for other field activities. Afternoons will include time for rest and study before late afternoon/early evening lectures and discussion. After a general introduction to the forest and research methods, students will work closely with the instructor and TA to develop an independent research project. After the project is approved, students will collect a minimum of 25 hours of data to address their research question. Students will write a scholarly scientific research paper that includes an introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. Each student will also orally present these components of their research project to the class.
In this course you will be exposed to a broad spectrum of primate behavior, fieldwork in general, as well as field primatology…and come away with a more integrated and comprehensive perspective of primate behavioral research and conservation!
GRADING:
The activities and their grade values are as follows:
Class participation and engagement 10%
Field exercises/Data collection15%
Exam 25%
Research proposal 5%
Research paper 30%
Oral presentation of journal article 5%
Oral presentation of research project 10%
Total 100%
Attendance, Participation, and Engagement: Your participation in the field, at lectures, and during evening discussions is essential.
Field Exercises & Data Collection: The first week or so of the course will be spent learning a series of field techniques. These techniques will prepare you to undertake your independent research project. You will spend a couple of days conducting a pilot study to figure out the methods you will use in your project, and then the remainder of the course collecting data for your project.
Exam: A final exam will be given to test your knowledge of information from the field, required readings, class discussions, and lectures.
Research Proposal: You will be required to submit a brief research proposal outlining your research question and associated hypotheses and predictions, as well as the methods you will use to answer them.
Research Paper: You will conduct an individual field-based research project, for which you will collect data for a minimum of 25 hours. You will write about your project in a scientific research paper, which will include the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results (including figures), Discussion, and References.
Oral presentation of journal article: You will choose one research article (relevant to your project) and present a summary and critique of it orally to the class.
Oral presentation of research project: On our last day at Ometepe, we will have a Primate Behavior and Ecology Symposium during which each of you will present your research project and findings to the class in the form of an oral and Powerpoint/overhead presentation. Each presentation will be ~15 minutes.
Special circumstances: If you have sensitive medical information or disability and need special accommodations, please make an appointment to see me during the first couple of days of class so we know how to better accommodate your needs. I will be happy to work with you to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform well in the class.
Textbooks:
These books are essential for understanding of primate behavior, ecology, and field techniques. They should be
accessible through your university bookshop, and also on the internet at www.amazon.com.
PRIMATE BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, 3rd Edition, by Karen B. Strier (2006). Allyn & Bacon. [REQUIRED]
PRIMATE BEHAVIOR, An Exercise Workbook, 2nd Edition, by J.D. Paterson (2001). Waveland Press. [RECOMMENDED]
Readings:
• Additional readings are on reserve in the Ometepe Biological Research Station Library.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE (subject to change!)
7/21
*Arrive in Managua
1
7/22
Forest Walks
Introductions; Orientation, rules, and guidelines
Syllabus Review, course format & Expectations
2
7/23
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Navigating the Field Site; noting where monkeys are; counting individuals, etc.)
Intro to Primate Diversity; History of the study
of behavior, ecology, and primates
Strier: Ch. 1 & 2
Paterson: Ch. 1, 2, 3
3
7/24
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Censuses, Identifying Animals)
Tropical Ecology – Biomes, Primate Habitats,
Ecological Sampling
Strier: Ch. 3
Paterson: Ch. 1, 2, 3
4
7/25
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Vegetation Transects/Phenology)
Feeding Ecology, Diets, Foraging Strategies
Field Research Design
Strier: Ch. 6
Paterson: Ch. 1, 2, 3
5
7/26
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Ethogram)
Primate Locomotion & Social Systems
Strier: Ch. 5, 7 & 8
Project Consultation
6
7/27
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Scan Sampling)
New World Monkeys - Cebids & Atelids
Project Consultation
7
7/28
Field Techniques/Exercises
(Scan Sampling)
Primate Community Ecology
Strier: Ch. 11
Project Consultation
8
7/29
Field Techniques/Exercises
(focal Sampling)
Primate Communication
Strier: Ch. 10
Due: Research Questions, Hypotheses,
Predictions
9
7/30
Field Techniques/Exercises
(focal Sampling)
Primate Conservation
Review for Exam
Strier: Ch. 12
10
7/31
Prep for project/Pilot Data
EXAM
11
8/1
Free Day – hike volcano/kayak to Monkey Island
12
8/2
Prep for project/Pilot Data
Primate Research – Hamadryas Baboons in Ethiopia
Due: Research Proposal
Get Cleared to Collect Data!
13
8/3
Data Collection
Primate Research – Gestural Communication in Apes
Due: Draft of Methods
14
8/4
Data Collection
Article Presentations
15
8/5
Data Collection
Article Presentations
16
8/6
Data Collection
Article Presentations
17
8/7
Data Collection
Due: Draft of Introduction
18
8/8
Data Collection
19
8/9
Data Collection
20
8/10
Data Collection
21
8/11
Work on Research Paper and Presentations
22
8/12
Work on Research Paper and Presentations
23
8/13
Primate Behavior & Ecology Symposium
(Student Presentations)
Due: Final Research Paper
24
8/14
Leave Ometepe
Trip to Masaya market and Volcan Masaya Park
Sleep in Granada
25
8/15
Granada
Explore Granada
Sleep in Managua
26
8/16
Leave Nicaragua
Fly home from Managua
*Note: There is flexibility in this schedule! Things will likely change as we go – you will learn quickly that one of the most important things when working in the field is to be flexible – lots of unknowns come up, and we will revise accordingly as needed!
**Note re Readings: You will be doing additional readings from both Strier and Paterson as well as articles from the Ometepe library as needed/relevant for your project.