spatial effects on betta splendens siamese fighting fish pcb 3043l principles of ecology lab candace...
TRANSCRIPT
Spatial Effects on Betta splendens
Siamese Fighting Fish
PCB 3043L Principles of Ecology Lab Candace Calvert, Melody Harrell, and Kimberly Tarre
Question:This observation (in nature) poses the question that,
“If Betta splendens cohabitate in the wild, then why do they battle until the end when confined/ limited
space?”
Observation: Betta splendens cohabitate
in the wild.
Observation & Hypothesis
http://oregonstate.edu/media/cfhxbq
Hypothesis: Is space a variable when
determining if male Betta splendens can cohabitate in
captivity?
Total # of aggressive behaviors displayed
Tank size (gal)
027.513.75 41.256.875
Figure 1Predicted outcome
General Prediction
As the tank size increases the display of aggressive behaviors will decrease.
55.0
Lab ExperimentTest what is the optimal tank size in which 2 male betas can cohabitate
by analyzing aggressive behavior.
55gal
Variable Tested: Aggression/Habitat Size
27.5 gal
13.75 gal
6.875 gal
Figure 2Methodology
A 55 gallon tank will be marked & a barrier will be placed depending on
the random pick.
41.25 gal
Time Table: 5 minute increments & subject to change
Methodology
10 Betta splendens 5 Tank-Sizes Biases Eliminated Randomized
Selections 5 Days (all tank sizes
tested each day) 2 Fish per Tank Size
Environmental Biases - Abiotic factors: Temperature & Oxygen Tank heater Aerating system
Biases, Consistency & Repetition
Learned Behavior/Personal recognition Bias
Randomize betta pairs
Worn Out Bias Randomize
Resource/Energy Bias Feeding schedule - 2 pellets & 1 hour before test
Overall Point of this slide is that we have taken factors in account that could alter our results and lead to a misrepresentation of how the space variable actually influences beta cohabitation in the nature/wild.
Complexity Additional variable after data collected and analyzed?
Prediction:Adding complexity to a smaller tank, will decrease the aggressive behavior
as compared to our results from the experiment.
THE END
http://www.thebettalady.co.uk/bettainfo.htm
References
Braddock, J. C. and Z. I. Braddock. 1955. Aggressive Behavior Among Females of the Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta Splendens. Physiological Zoology 28 (2): 152- 172. Print.
Goldstein, Stephen. 1975. Observations on the Establishment of a Stable Community of Adult Male and Female Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens). Animal Behaviour 23 (1): 179-85. Print.
Itzkowitz, Murray. 1971. Preliminary Study of the Social Behavior of Male Bambusia Affinis (Baird and Birard) (Pisces: Poeciliidae) in Aquaria. Chesapeake Science 12 (4): 219-24. Print.
Jaroensutasinee, M. and K. Jaroensutasinee. 2001. Sexual Size Dimorphism and Male Contest in Wild Siamese Fighting Fish. Journal of Fish Biology 59 (6): 1614-21. Print.
Matos, R. J. and P. K. McGregor. 2002. The Effect of the Sex of an Audience on Male-Male Displays of Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens). Behaviour 139 (9): 1211-21. Print.
Skomal, Gregory. 2005. Freshwater Aquarium. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing, Inc.