Potential Undergraduate Projects

Spring/Summer 2007

Lab Studies

1)      Genetic Variation and Quality as a Breeder in Female House Sparrows.- Female sparrows show consistent differences in how many eggs they lay, how many of these hatch, and therefore in how many offspring they produce per breeding attempt. This ability does not seem to be related to their age or size. We wonder if it reflects general aspects of their genotype, such as level of heterozygosity. A lab-only project would focus on extracting DNA from samples of known females, PCR amplification of an array of genetic markers, and analysis of this information in light of their breeding success. This project could be extended into the summer in which case a field component could be added on.

2)      Mate Choice and MHC (major histocompatibility complex) in Dickcissels (Spiza americana).-  The goal of this project is to examine the role of genetic variation in mate choice in a song bird.  Since many female birds engage in extra pair copulations (i.e. they cheat on their mates), the paternity of nestlings must be determined genetically. The student would use microsatellites (small repetitive DNA fragments) to analyze paternity.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn basic laboratory techniques and gain laboratory experience.  A student would:  extract DNA from blood samples, amplify microsatellites (small DNA repeats) using PCR, and analyze paternity using electrophoresis and silver staining. An additional possibility is to examine variation in the major histocompatibility complex, which codes for genes essential for immune defense, which would involve the same techniques along with possible additional techniques for a skilled labworker.

3)      Genetic variation and hybridization in Golden-winged Warblers.- Golden-winged warblers are an endangered species that is hybridizing with the Blue-winged Warbler throughout much of its range. This is leading to the disappearance of the Golden-winged warbler. The mechanisms and details of hybridization are not clear. We have blood samples collected from several populations. We would like to know if females engaged in extra-pair copulations with the wrong species and if hybrids show different patterns of genetic variation than do non-hybrids. This project would involve extraction of DNA, PCR of microsatellite loci, gel electrophoresis, and analysis of genetic results with data on the morphology and mating history of the birds involved.

4)      Microsatellite variation and paternity in Colorado Potato Beetles.- Females of many animals often mate with multiple males in patterns that result in mixed paternity within batches of offspring. This is particularly common in insects, yet the reasons why and indeed the factors that affect how often it occurs are not well known. Female Colorado Potato Beetles mate with multiple males in the lab, but the extent of this behavior in the wild is unknown. Paternity analyses of broods from wild females is the best way to measure this behavior. A set of microsatellite primers is available for this species, but have yet to be used to measure paternity patterns. A potential project is thus to extract DNA from beetles, test the primers to establish the best reaction conditions, and to analyze broods of larvae for mixed paternity.

Field Studies

1)      Timing of Breeding and Breeding Success in House Sparrows.- As described in # under Lab Studies above, differences among females exist in quality of breeding. A potential project would be to add to these original data by marking and following individual females through the breeding season (March - August) to collect data on performance and correlate it with female attributes. Lab work as in #1 above could be part of this project. It is possible this would work just for the Spring term, but this might be best if a student was interested in both spring and summer.

Aviary Studies

1)      Dominance and breeding behavior in captive flocks of House Sparrows.- Social dominance is a characteristic feature of wintering flocks of birds, but its impact is not well known. Aviaries allow for much more focused study, and we plan to construct flocks in aviaries at the Ecological Research Facility, observe dominance interactions, and then follow these known individuals as they pair and begin breeding. We will also be conducting tests of reactions to novel foraging tasks or potentially dangerous situations in order to understand possible links with social behavior. Project involves helping with catching birds, observations of dominance and scoring of videos, experiments on foraging behavior, and if possible before the end of the term collecting data on breeding behavior. This project might be more successful if it could be extended into one of the summer terms.