Brevard Spider Monkeys > Procedures, Locations, & Behaviors > Flashcards
Procedures, Locations, & Behaviors Flashcards
Location
Location data is the first piece of information that you enter for both scans and all occurrence behaviors.
For example, to record grooming in habitat A, you would enter the following: A IndA gg IndB. If an animal is sitting on the frame of a tunnel (where it connects to a habitat), score location as tunnel.
A
Original habitat, closest to cognition center (CC)
TAONH
Tunnel between original habitat and original night house
ONH
Original night house, closest to CC
TAB
Tunnel between habitat A and the habitat B
B
Habitat across the boardwalk from A
TBNNH
Tunnel between habitat B and the new night house
NNH
New night house, next to habitat B
C
Habitat furthest from CC, near jaguar and squirrel monkeys
TC
From the corner of TBNNH (shift door is the line) to entry into C
TCCC
Tunnel from C to CC, once under roof of CC use TCCR
TACC
Tunnel from A to CC, once under roof of CC use TCCR
TCCR
Tunnel under roof of CC area, once in CC test area use CC
CC
Testing space
UNK
You are not able to locate the individual. Enter as: UNK IndA oos
Original habitat, closest to cognition center (CC)
A
Tunnel between original habitat and original night house
TAONH
Original night house, closest to CC
ONH
Tunnel between habitat A and the habitat B
TAB
Habitat across the boardwalk from A
B
Tunnel between habitat B and the new night house
TBNNH
New night house, next to habitat B
NNH
Habitat furthest from CC, near jaguar and squirrel monkeys
C
From the corner of TBNNH (shift door is the line) to entry into C
TC
Tunnel from C to CC, once under roof of CC use TCCR
TCCC
Tunnel from A to CC, once under roof of CC use TCCR
TACC
Tunnel under roof of CC area, once in CC test area use CC
TCCR
Testing space
CC
You are not able to locate the individual.
UNK. Enter as: UNK IndA oos
Animal opens mouth and pulls back lips to expose both upper and lower teeth. Typically made while looking at the receiver of the threat.
Bared-teeth threat (btt)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA btt IndB
Includes hitting, slapping, chasing, biting, wounding another individual in not a playful manner.
Aggression (ag)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA ag IndB
Aggression takes priority over anything else, including your focal animal. If there is aggression during your observation:
1) stop recording your instantaneous sampling (do not stop the timer)
until the aggression has ended,
2) follow what is happening in as much detail as possible,
3) record the adlib behaviors and then
4) resume instantaneous sampling on the next interval
Using the hand, mouth or tail to comb through another’s fur. Also applies to facial regions that lack hair.
Grooming (gg)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA gg IndB
Record as a new bout if there is at least 10 second break.
Grooming another individual while at the same time being groomed by that individual.
Mutual-grooming (mg)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA mg IndB (this is equivalent to IndB mg IndA)
Record as a new bout if there is at least 10 second break.
One individual reclines their body so that their belly is facing up, while in contact with another individual. It often looks like the individual presenting is trying to put their head in the lap of the other individual.
Groom present (gp)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA gp IndB
Hugging another individual for no more than 30 seconds. May include pectoral sniffing. For more than 30 seconds classify as huddling.
Embrace (em)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA em IndB
Wrapping an arm around another individual from the side. Both animals are oriented in the same direction, not facing each other, often in response to a threat.
Arm wrap (aw)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA aw IndB
Includes chasing, wrestling, slapping, grabbing, and play biting (not aggression) with another individual (solitary play is not recorded), often accompanied by vocalizations.
Play (play)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA play IndB.
Record as a new bout if there is at least a 10-second break.
If more than two individuals are playing, record as: IndA play IndB IndC IndD.
If multiple individuals are playing and one individual stops playing, record as a new play bout after the individual that left has not reengaged within 10 seconds.
If an additional animal joins a play bout, record as a new play bout.
Copulation. May be able to see male’s penis to discriminate between copulation and other forms of contact. Copulation may only last a few seconds.
Sex (sex)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
IndA sex IndB
Individual is suckling from the nipple of another individual. You may or may not be able to see the nipple in the infant’s mouth.
Nurse (nurse)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
If IndA is the infant and IndB is the mother, then IndA nurse IndB.
Record as new bout if there is at least a 10-second break.
Two (or more) individuals embracing or cuddling for a period greater than 30 seconds.
Huddle (hd)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
If it looks like they are cuddling, code this behavior. IndA hd IndB.
If more than two individuals, then enter IndA hd IndB IndC. Not all of the individuals need to be in contact to use this code. In other words, when there is a pile of monkeys cuddling list each individual that is in an unbroken group. If there is a break between individuals, code as two huddling groups.
Infant is clinging to the ventral (front/stomach) side of another individual when the other individual is locomoting.
Carry infant front (cif)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
If infant is clinging while the other individual is not locomoting, use embrace or huddle.
If carry infant front vs. back is ambiguous, score where the head is.
IndA (adult) cif IndB (infant)
Infant is clinging to the dorsal (back) side of another individual, when the other individual is locomoting.
Carry infant back (cib)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
If infant is clinging while the other individual is not locomoting, use embrace or huddle.
If carry infant front vs. back is ambiguous, score where the head is.
IndA (adult) cib IndB (infant)
Individual (typically the mother) is seated or resting with infant in ventral-ventral contact. In other words, the front of the abdomen of both the individual and infant are touching.
Ventral contact (vc)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
If the infant is on the side of the individual’s abdomen, but the infant head (or most of the head) is in front of the abdomen, still use this code.
IndA vc IndB (infant).
Individual (typically the mother) is seated or resting with infant in dorsal contact. In other words, the front of the infant is on the individual’s back.
Dorsal contact (dc)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Behaviors are directional. The individual doing the action is coded first.
If the infant is on the side of the individual’s abdomen with its head (or most of the head) on the back of the individual, use this code.
IndA dc IndB (infant).
Unusual repetitive mannerism/posture outside of their normal repertoire of behaviors. Must be ≥3 consecutive repetitions. May include pacing, head-twirling, rocking, or self-directed behavior in which the subject is manipulating some part of their body or fur such as self-plucking (Using hands or mouth to excessively pick through or part own fur) or self-sucking (Insertion of fingers, toes, tail, or other body part into mouth).
Stereotypy (st)
Social (& Abnormal Behaviors) – 1st Priority
Recorded ad-libitum (all-occurrence).
If you score this behavior, on the next line use the ‘Note’ button and describe what you observed. Also notify Drs. Proctor and Talbot of what you observed.
Spatial Behaviors – Second Priority
Only use if the situation is not captured by social behaviors. For example, if IndA (focal) is grooming IndB, we already know they are both in contact and in proximity, so no spatial behavior is needed, as that would represent contact/proximity twice. However, if your focal (IndA) is sitting close to another monkey (IndC) in this situation, then also code IndA prox IndC on a separate line. Proximity Example: If IndA (focal) is sitting close to both IndB and IndC, but IndB and IndC are not in proximity, you would code IndA prox IndB and, on a separate line, code IndA prox IndC. You should not code all of this on one line as that would indicate all are in proximity.
Two (or more) individuals who are touching in a way not otherwise defined.
Contact (contact)
Spatial Behaviors – Second Priority
If more than two individuals, then enter IndA contact IndB IndC.
IndA contact IndB.
Two (or more) individuals are within (an adult’s) easy arm or tail reach of each other (based on the current location of their tail/arms). In other words, they could easily touch each other.
Proximity (prox)
Spatial Behaviors – Second Priority
If more than two individuals, then enter IndA prox IndB IndC.
IndA prox IndB.
Other Behaviors – Lowest Priority
Only use if the situation is not captured by social behaviors nor spatial behaviors.
Individual is not within proximity (see above) to any other animal, is not engaged in any social or spatial behaviors, but is active. This includes all forms of locomotion (climbing, walking, swinging) and generally any mobile behaviors that are not covered above, such as playing with an object, foraging, self-grooming, self-scratching, eating, drinking or using enrichment.
Non-Social: Active (nsa)
Other Behaviors – Lowest Priority
Individual is relatively immobile and not traveling (essentially resting in place). This includes behaviors such as sitting, resting, urinating, defecating, standing, hanging (which is like standing for a monkey) while not engaged in any activities.
Non-Social: Inactive (nsi)
Other Behaviors – Lowest Priority
You are not able to see the behavior of an individual.
Out of sight (oos)
Other Behaviors – Lowest Priority
You may do this when you have no idea where the monkey is, for example: UNK IndA oos
You may also do this when you know where an animal is but cannot see their behavior, for example: TAB IndA oos
Keeper Interactions
Only use when the keepers are interacting with or have just finished interacting with the monkeys. For these, you code location of your focal monkey first, then the subject ‘keeper’ and either interaction/pause. If you finish an observation, wait until keepers are finished interacting with the monkeys to begin a new observation.
Keeper (keeper)
Keeper Interactions
Zoo keeper. Code the focal as ‘keeper’ followed by interaction or pause. For example: B keeper interaction. For these you do not use the focal monkey’s name.
Interaction (interaction)
Keeper Interactions
Keepers are interacting with the monkeys in some way that disrupts the group. For something to count as an interaction, it must meet two of the following criteria:
● keepers are within 6 feet of the habitat
● keepers are training
● keepers are feeding the monkeys
● keepers are calling/talking to the monkeys
When this occurs on the interval, for the instantaneous sample, record: A keeper interaction
Do not record any monkey behaviors during instantaneous samples.
DO NOT record all occurrence behaviors between samples during keeper interactions/pauses.
Pause (pause)
Keeper Interactions
After keepers are finished interacting with the monkeys, for the next two samples record: B keeper pause
This allows the monkeys to return to their normal habits before we resume data collection.
Visitor Density
Code once at the end of each 10-minute focal observation. You will use the Visitor button and one of the
categories below. The percentage of time visitors are present is based on your impression; you are not
expected to time this. You should record visitor density before ending the session.
none
Visitor Density
There were no visitors present for the entire duration of the observation. It is likely this will only occur when zoo is closed to the public.
Visitors none
sparse
Visitor Density
Occasional visitors (less than 25% of the time), but frequently you cannot see visitors in the spider monkey area.
The zoo feels ‘slow.’ More likely early and late in the day when there are fewer visitors at the zoo.
Visitors sparse
medium
Visitor Density
Frequent visitors (between 26 and 75% of the time), but occasional times when no visitors are visible in the spider monkey area.
This is when the crowd at the zoo feels average. Likely to occur mid-morning to early afternoon on weekdays. Will occur frequently on weekends.
Visitors medium
dense
Visitor Density
Visitors are visible in the spider monkey area almost constantly (between 76 and 100% of the time). Few, if any, times when no visitors are visible.
Zoo is crowded, large groups come by occasionally. This is likely to occur on weekends, but also times when groups are visiting the zoo.
Visitors dense
Ending a Session
Once you have finished an observation session, select the end button and your focal animal’s name: end IndA
This will be the last entry in each session and tells us that you intentionally ended your session.
Sampling overview
We are conducting instantaneous focal animal sampling as well as ad libitum sampling on certain behaviors. You will follow one monkey for 10 minutes and instantaneously sample your focal animal every 30 seconds. This means you will record what your focal monkey is doing ‘on the beep’ every 30 seconds. In between samples, you will also watch for ad lib behaviors (see below).
Session Procedures
Pick up the iPad from the filing cabinet in the main office. Use your phone or the iPad to navigate to a qualtrics list of the five monkeys you should do observations on that day. As you do your focal follows, check the tick box next to each name. When you have finished all the monkeys for the hour, submit the form.
Prior to beginning your observation session, select the observer key and then type in your initials on the same line. If your initials are the same as any of our behavior codes, Dr. Proctor or Talbot will give you a code to use. For example: Observer DP
Then, select the start button followed by the name of your focal monkey. NOTE: If you cannot find your focal monkey, move on to the next focal according to the qualtrics survey and come back to your original focal afterwards.
Next, go to the timer app and select start. You will hear a “boxing bell.” After 25 seconds, you will hear a “doorbell.” The doorbell is your five second warning, after which the boxing bell will sound again. When you hear the boxing bell, you will record your first instantaneous sample of your focal animal. In other words, you are waiting 30 seconds to start your observation to control for any effects your presence may have on the monkeys.
From that point on, the cycle will continue, and you should do instantaneous sampling every time you hear the boxing bell. Note that on the final cycle (at 10 minutes), the timer will say, “Observation complete”. You SHOULD NOT conduct an instantaneous sample on that final cycle.
After one focal observation period (10 minutes, 20 instantaneous samples), you will record the visitor density, then select the end button and the name of your focal monkey. Then, you will move on to the next monkey by selecting start and the name of your next monkey. Repeat this process for 5 monkeys during the course of 1 hour.
If more than 20 minutes have elapsed between focal observations, start a new file. This may happen if, for example, keepers are training or there is inclement weather.
Data Entry
Format: Location, Actor, Behavior, Recipient(s) if any, adlib (if an all occurrence behavior, not during an instantaneous sample). In all examples below, individual (IndA) and individual B (IndB) are used as individual monkey names. Do not interact with the monkeys during an observation period (or any time you have an ipad in your hand).
Behaviors
Behaviors are recorded in a hierarchical form such that social behaviors have the top priority, then spatial behaviors, then other behaviors. If an individual is not engaging in any social behaviors (e.g. huddle), then you would code a spatial behavior (e.g. proximity), if applicable. If the situation is not captured by a social or a spatial behavior, then you would code from the other behavior category (e.g. nonsocial active). You only need to code the highest priority behavior. For example, if IndA is grooming IndB, we already know that they are in contact and proximity, so only grooming is recorded.
NOTE: The codes in the Fieldnotes application is also arranged in this hierarchical fashion from top to bottom.
If your focal is involved in different behaviors with different individuals, then you should record each of these behaviors on a separate line. For example:
IndA contact Ind B Ind C (focal is in contact with B & C)
IndA prox Ind D (focal is also in proximity to D)
Record all occurrences of the behaviors (ad libitum) that are listed in bold below. This includes monkeys who are not your focal animal. In other words, you instantaneously sample your focal at 30 second intervals and you watch for any monkey to engage in an ad lib behavior and record those as well in between samples. However, your focal animal is your priority.
When recording an all-occurrence behavior not during a sample add adlib at the end of the line.
For simplicity, the examples of how to enter data do not include the location. Always include the location data before the rest of the information.
