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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

phenotypic divergence, boldness, shyness, Brachuraphis fish

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Among some of the most exciting research in evolutionary biology involves animal social behavior. Of particular interest is whether social behaviors are inheritable. If social behaviors are inheritable, they become a selective force and are capable of shaping the life history of an animal. Dr. Culum Brown has pioneered much of the research in this field with fishes. My research is based on his preliminary research and supplemented with work by Dr. Jerry Johnson. The goal of my research was to test if behaviors evolve in response to differences in mortality pressures in the environment. A greater understanding of how predation affects life history will enhance our ability to understand selective forces and help preserve endangered species. Perhaps more interesting though is the insights that might be gained in understanding complex human behaviors.

Included in

Biology Commons

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