technology in animal behavior research

Question 1

wolf follow wolf

Answer 1

example of the difficulty in humans collecting live data ➔ not finely tuned for it

Question 2

problems with human observation

Answer 2

• observer bias: human presence influences animal behavior
  
  • scent, sight, sound all perceptible by animals
  • even cameras have influence
• time consuming ➔ observer fatigue
  
  • even if can mask scent & not influence behavior ➔ after so many hours observer gets tired & lazy, bias influences data
• human bias: some researchers want to see behaviors that match their hypotheses so they focus on those, even subconsciously because that is what they’re thinking of
• humans unable to keep up with fluidity of data (wolf-follow-wolf)
• some behaviors more eye-catching than others ➔ distraction causes missed behaviors (wolf-follow-wolf)
• solution = automatic recordings: cameras, videos, monitoring software

Question 3

automatic recording devices in animal research

Answer 3

• remove human interference in behavior & mistakes gathering data
• prevent human bias
• data can be streamed directly to computer
  
  • rapid, real-time results
  • saves 2nd interference of retrieving the devices
• devices tested on weight and obstruction & proven to not interfere with animal behavior
  
  • even if it passes, the mere fact of it being there & animals noticing/knowing it’s there could influence behavior?
• advantages:
  
  • consistency & accuracy for a prolonged period of time (as a solution to observer fatigue)
    
    • can accumulate a long-term trend & more accurate average of behaviors
    • can see differences in time of year as well
  • not limited by animal visibility (ex: dolphins dive under rough waters ➔ lose visibility)
  • not limited by observer bias & distraction
• disadvantages:
  
  • still require interpretation
  • need to be calibrated
  • record huge quantity of data ➔ still must be sifted through
  • technology breaks, shows inaccuracies, not always 100% perfect some of the time

Question 4

activity monitors (accelerometers)

Answer 4

• accelerometers measure movement in 3 directions (on an xyz axis) over time
  
  • sway: side to side
  • surge: front to back
  • heave: up & down
  • ex: anteater
• measures body posture & timing of rest & activity
• can give idea of daily rhythms
• can give idea of free-ranging vs domestic & captive ➔ useful in assessing welfare & species-specific behavioral needs

Question 5

location monitors (GPS)

Answer 5

• pedometers can signal impending parturition (ex: restlessness prior to calving)
• can identify social groups dynamics & rhythmic patterns

Question 6

technological physiological monitors (heart rate, blood pressure)

Answer 6

• HR monitoring (heartbeat variability)
  
  • low HRV = sympathetic: fight or flight: body is focused on getting blood where it needs to be)
  • high HRV = parasympathetic: rest & digest: body does not need to focus, no threat of danger
• infrared thermography: measuring heat as an indicator of arousal
  
  • eye/nose temperature
  • areas of thin skin
  • reduction of blood from peripheral regions to internal organs
    
    • immediate drop in temp = pain ➔ blood is rushing to site of injury/pain
    • immediate increase in temp = fear ➔ body focused on trying to assess thread, uses senses (sight, hearing, sound)
• necklaces used to detect
  
  • health problems to address early & minimize suffering & transmission to other animals
  • heat to make insemination more efficient
• acid monitors placed in rumen to detect & monitor digestive problems
  
  • e.g. response to new feed
  • rumen of cows that respond better to feed/grow faster can be studied
• udder sensors can monitor milk quality & check for signs of mastitis
  
  • prevents suffering
  • early biohazard prevention
• tail movements triggered by labor contractions ➔ impending calving

Question 7

types of automatic recording devices

Answer 7

• activity monitors (accelerometers)
• location monitors (GPS)
• physiological monitors (heart rate, blood pressure)
• muscle activity (EMG)

Question 8

robots in research

Answer 8

• can be used in field studies to get up and close with animals
• no observer bias
• can monitor animals from large distances
• whole new field of study ➔ training could open up many jobs