REU Supplement: Development of Signaler and Receiver Phenotypes

The development of complex and flexible behaviors, such as foraging skills, likely involves a mix of environmental and genetic factors. As part of a larger study of the development of social behavior and signaling in house sparrows (Passer domesticus), we have designed a set of experiments during summer 2009 on the environmental factors and genetics of foraging skill acquisition in young birds. The proposed supplement will support us in mentoring an advanced undergraduate to carry out these experiments. The student will become familiar with the relevant literature, learn field, husbandry, laboratory, and statistical techniques, and improve their writing and presentation skills. Applicants will be drawn from a diverse pool in cooperation with programs supporting participation in science by under-represented groups.