Jordan Karubian, School of Science and Engineering
This project aims to monitor, quantify, and analyze the mating behavior of an interesting species of tropical bird, the white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus). Male white-bearded manakins congregate at locations called “leks” to perform elaborate, energetically costly mating displays to attract females. These displays involve leaping between vertical saplings and smashing their wings together to produce loud, firecracker-like sounds.
Luke Anderson, a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is studying the species’ behavior using motion-activated camera traps in northwest Ecuador. For this research opportunity, undergraduate students are expected to review camera trap videos to quantify certain display behaviors to determine the behavioral components that drive female preference and predict male mating success.
There are also opportunities for undergraduates to carve off independent research projects if desired. The ideal applicant will be interested in the study of animal behavior and exhibit strong attention to detail.
Overall, this project constitutes a portion of a larger project on white-bearded manakins that aims to understand how genes and the environment interact to produce phenotypes in nature. In addition, it seeks to understand the mechanisms by which genetic and phenotypic variation is able to persist in populations despite strong selective pressures. Manakins provide an exciting opportunity to disentangle these longstanding and fundamental evolutionary questions.
Time, eligibility, and other details
| Expected workload | Reviewing camera footage and recording behaviors of interest (e.g., displays, female visitations, copulations) in a provided datasheet. Students are encouraged to spend at least 3-4 hours per week reviewing videos, but this is flexible and any degree of help is welcomed. |
| Skills required | All are welcome — students will be trained |
| Who is eligible | All |
| Core partners | Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales |
| Sponsoring party | This project is led by Luke Anderson, a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, with advising by Dr. Jordan Karubian, a Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Tulane. The project is a collaboration with members of an Ecuadorian non-profit group, the Fundación para la Conservación de los Andes Tropicales. |
| Volunteer, Paid, or Credit-eligible? | Volunteer |
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