Bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus) or ‘omilu in Hawaiian are able to detect dimethylsulfoniopropionate (say that 5 times fast, or just say DMSP). DMSP is a chemical produced by phytoplankton (marine algae) that is an indicator of food productivity. This chemosensory adaptation is important for foraging success! [Photo and caption by Karli Chudeau] DeBose, J.L., Nevitt,…
Author: The Ethogram
The official blog of the UC Davis Animal Behavior Graduate Group.
Field Frame Friday: Garibaldi neighbors respect the “no trespassing” signs.
Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) are territorial fish. Males will clear bottom territories and combat other fish and even SCUBA divers that come too close to their territory. However, it is uncommon that there is intraspecfic aggression; Garibaldis generally “respect” each other’s territories, so there is no need for aggression within species. [Photo by Nick Chudeau and…
Newsroom: A Bee of All Trades
Check out our newest piece by ABGG grad student Adrian Perez, telling us all about the task repertoire of honeybees!
Sunday Sketch: Convict Cichlid
Did you know that the convict cichlid (Amatitlania siquia), a monogamous fish species that forms long-lasting pairs, can exhibit pessimism? In a recent study, female fish selected male partners and were then paired with preferred or non-preferred partners. The fish that were paired with non-preferred partners did not spawn as quickly as the others. Furthermore,…
Field Frame Friday: This is my ‘Don’t mess with me’ face
This lone male clearly wants to range alone as he is trying to scare us off by displaying aggressive behaviors. Aggression in macaques, and in this example long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), can be identified via the intense direct stare, raised eyebrows and round “open threat face”. [Photo and caption by Josephine Hubbard] Reference Van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M. (1967)….
Field Frame Friday: No, its not facial recognition technology, its facial recognition GOATS!
Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) have the ability to recognize the emotional state of other familiar goats just by viewing pictures of them! Since goats are social animals, facial expressions might be a major mode of communication between individuals. [Photo by Nick Chudeau and caption by Maggie Creamer] Reference Bellegarde, L. G., Haskell, M. J., Duvaux-Ponter,…
Field Frame Friday: Solar powered skink!
The brown tree skink (Dasia grisea) shown here is catching some afternoon rays in the warm Malaysian sun. Since reptiles are cold-blooded animals, they capitalize on the energy of the sun to maintain an optimal body temperature (known as thermoregulation). [Photo and caption by Josie Hubbard] Cox, van Dijk, Nabhitabhata, Thirakhupt, 1998. A photographic Guide…
Newsroom: Deciphering Courtship Tactics
Check out our newest Newsroom piece! It outlines the most recent discoveries of Anna C. Perry and colleagues on how to make a more accurate model of male Sage-Grouse mating behavior.
Sunday Sketch: Glow-In-The-Dark Pocket Shark
A new species of pocket shark (Mollisquama mississippiensis) that was found in the Gulf of Mexico has recently been classified. Pocket sharks get their name from the “pocket” glands behind their pectoral fins. The glands in glow-in-the-dark pocket sharks produce a bioluminescent fluid. Their bodies also generate light all over from bundles of glandular organs…
Field Frames Friday: There is always that one weird family member.
Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) may look like grumpy rodents with fangs, but did you know they are actually the closest land relative to elephants? Using fossil, morphological, neuronal, and molecular data, scientists have put rock hyraxes in the same clade (Paenungulata) as elephants and manatees. Hyraxes and elephants have similar foot structures and skulls, so…
