Social learning and its effect on conservation efforts in the Barrens Topminnow: an evaluation of conditioning and social learning as a viable longterm solution to evolutionary traps

Author

Elijah Reyes, University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaFollow

Committee Chair

Klug, Hope

Committee Member

Aborn, David; Kuhajda, Bernard; Farnsley, Sarah

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The invasive Western Mosquitofish (WMF), Gambusia affinis, has facilitated the extinction and endangerment of multiple freshwater fish species, including the Barrens Topminnow (BTM), Fundulus julisia. In my study, I investigated if BTMs are capable of socially learning conditioned predator recognition, and I hypothesized that BTMs are capable of social learning and that such learning might improve survival of BTMs. To explore the role of conditioning and subsequent learning in the conservation of BTMs, I conducted a series of experiments in which I 1) attempted to condition BTMs to exhibit antipredator behavior when faced with WMF, and 2) created a situation in which naive BTMs could potentially learn from conditioned individuals. I found no evidence of conditioning or of social learning, and there were no significant differences in behavior, body condition, or survival among my treatment groups.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along with my thesis, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Conservation Fisheries Inc., the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and my committee for all the help given to me. I would like to give special thanks to my friends and family for supporting me.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

8-2017

Subject

Barrens topminnow; Western mosquitofish

Keyword

Barrens Topminnow; Social learning; Conservation; Fundulus julisia; Western Mosquitofish; Gambusia affinis

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

vii, 55 leaves

Language

English

Rights

https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Recommended Citation

Reyes, Elijah, "Social learning and its effect on conservation efforts in the Barrens Topminnow: an evaluation of conditioning and social learning as a viable longterm solution to evolutionary traps" (2017). Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.
https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/523