Case Study 1
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species.
Identify the Independent Variable
segregation mechanisms (most notably SST - sea surface temperature)
Any group among our individual independent variables that receives the effect being studied is known as?
The Treatment/test/experimental group.
This graph is primarily used to illustrate a possible relationship between 2 usually quantitative and continuous variables, and requires a line of best fit for linear analysis and a proposal for correlation.
Scatter Plot
There is a relationship between caffeine exposure in bees, as well as its lasting effects, and their ability to return to a nectar site based on memory. after 10 minutes of caffeine exposure, there is no significant difference in a bees ability to remember a nectar site and return, when compared to a non-caffeinated control. However, 24hrs after exposure, the ability for the non-caffeinated bee to return diminishes to under 50%, while the caffeinated bee maintains above a 75% chance of returning. This significant difference suggests that caffeine can help bees maintain memory of feeding sites longer-term, allowing them to visit sites a day later, but has no significant advantage for short term memory boosts.
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species.
Identify the Dependent Variable
Species Distribution and Habitat Overlap. Measured the quantity or population of either species in an area characterized by its SST.
Constants
Quantitative & Qualitative
The study showed that giraffes preferred willow and oak browse, spending more time eating and ruminating with these trees compared to hazel or hawthorn. Willow especially encouraged bark stripping and bite counts, while hawthorn did not have the strong effect researchers expected. These results suggest that giraffe diets in zoos should include more willow and oak to support natural feeding behaviors and improve welfare.
Conclusion Discussed
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species.
Write a Null Hypothesis for this Study
If Segregation mechanisms change, then there will not be a change in species distribution, indicating that it does not have a major effect on the segregation of species.
SST has no effect on Species distribution.
The step by which we begin the science journey. Using our senses - touch, smell, sight, taste & hearing.
Observation
There are 2 types of quantitative data, what are they? Provide an example of both.
Continuous - time
Discreet - flavors of ice cream
Conclusion based off data
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species.
Develop an Alternative Hypothesis
If the segregation mechanism is changed or manipulated, then it will cause a change in species distribution.
SST has an effect on Species distribution, different temperatures will have significantly different populations of each species.
This is the variable that is being affected upon and sequentially measured in response.
Dependent Variable
Place the corresponding variables on the x and y axis.
1. The effect of cloud cover on outside temperature
2. Age as a predictor for dementia risk
3. Cat Growth Rate and its relationship to Food Quality
1. x - cloud cover y - outside temp
2. x - age y - dementia risk
3. x - food quality y - cat growth rate
Abstract
Dogs and humans form close bonds, and the interaction between them produces numerous benefits. Among these, it has been observed in various situations that humans can reduce dogs' stress behaviors, generating a social buffering effect. Frustration induced by the omission of an expected reward has characteristics similar to stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of the owner or a stranger attenuated the frustration response during the extinction of a previously reinforced behavior, comparing both groups with a third group where the dog remained alone. To this end, a task was used where dogs had to gaze at the experimenter’s face to obtain food that was visible but out of their reach. The results indicate that dogs showed more frustration responses when they did not receive food compared to the reinforced phases. Additionally, the presence of the owner reduced these frustration responses during the non-reinforced phases. In this group a greater persistence in gazing at the experimenter was also observed, showing a lower frustration response. These data suggest that the presence of the owner had a mitigating effect on frustration in response to the omission of reinforcement. Furthermore, the dogs gazed more at the experimenter in the presence of the owner than in the presence of a stranger, even during the reinforced phases, which could suggest a performance-facilitating effect during the task caused by the owner. These findings are relevant considering that the omission of an expected reward frequently occurs both in dog training and in their daily life.
Identify the Control
The Dog Alone!
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species.
Develop a conclusion as a group.
This is used to compare to results. We often refer the outcomes from these groups as known or expected. They help us to analyze change in regard to our experiment or treatment.
Controls
What kind of graph is only designed for use with qualitative data
line, scatter, bar?
bar
In many passerine birds, testosterone stimulates song and aggression but inhibits paternal care, but few studies have explored whether such effects can be reversed with testosterone blockers. We explored the effect of testosterone blockers on song, aggression and paternal care of Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus), an arctic passerine with a short breeding season. Twenty-one “blocker males” received implants containing an androgen receptor blocker and an aromatase inhibitor, compared to 27 control males with empty or no implants. Song, aggression and other behaviors were evaluated with simulated territorial intrusions (STI) during mate-guarding, and with focal observations (without STI) during mate-guarding and incubation. Nests were monitored and nestlings weighed as an indirect measure of paternal care. During STI, blocker males exhibited similar song rates, significantly lower aggression, and were significantly less likely to be found on territory than control males. Focal observations revealed no differences in spontaneous song, aggression, foraging, preening, or flight activity. Blocker males' nestlings had greater body mass on day 5 after hatching, but this difference disappeared by fledging, and both groups fledged similar numbers of young. Two blocker males exhibited unusual paternal care: incubation and brooding of young, or feeding of nestlings at another male's nest. In sum, testosterone blockers affected aggression but not song, contrasting with results from previously published testosterone implant studies. Effects on paternal care were concordant with testosterone implant studies. These patterns may be related to rapid behavioral changes characteristic of the short breeding season of the Arctic.
What behavior was expected from the control group?
Aggressive, singing frequently and on guard, NOT displaying paternal care for birds.