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First Year Seminar

Dr. Nivens
15 October 2021

My major is biology which is the study of life and living organisms. There are so
many subfields of biology like zoology, botany, microbiology, genetics, etc. What I find
the most interesting within my major is zoology and marine biology. Since I was little I
have always found animals interesting, more interesting than my soccer ball or barbies.
I believe that is my brother’s fault, because he would force us to watch Animal Planet
and Discovery Channel instead of cartoons. After a couple times it wasn’t forced
anymore, and I would look forward to us watching it together. My brother saw my
fascination with animals and he would take me to the aquarium, zoo, and animal
sanctuaries. He was the one that would buy me books and dvd’s on marine life as well.
I’m extremely thankful for my brother starting my interest. It went from elementary to
highschool. In elementary and middle school I was convinced I wanted to be a
zoologist. When we had to do a biography presentation I made it on Jane Goodall. She
was an important figure in my early life. Later on in high school I put more consideration
to marine biology. Specifically on the mammals, but there is so much more than that in
the ocean. I am in the pre-med track, but my back up plan is to be a marine biologist. I
would love to work with whales and sharks.

The first thesis I analysed was “The Effects of Auditory Predator Cues on Foraging
Patterns in Peromyscus polionotus”, by Christina L. Sartain. Sartain is a biology major
and published the thesis in March 2020.The question the author was trying to explore is
if direct predator cues in the form of predator calls affects the foraging effort in
peromyscus polionotus; measured by giving up density (GUD). Peromyscus polionotus
or more commonly known as oldfield mice are small monogamous mammals common
in southeastern U.S. This study was done by finding active burrows. Four were chosen
to use in the experiment, and each borrow was at least 25 meters from another. At each
borrow four trays (22.6 oz plastic trays) were placed. Three trays acted as foraging trays
that consisted of 3.1 grams of millet and 200ml of clean sand. These trays had openings
small enough for only an oldfield mouse to enter. The fourth tray contained an Ipod that
would emit the sound. The three trays of millet acted as replicates for one treatment and
each borrow had a different sound each rotation. The sounds varied from barn owl,
coyote, white noise, and no noise. The calls played on a loop for a period of 2 minutes
every four hours at night (12 hours). At the end of every night the millet was collected to
calculate the GUD, which is the difference in millet left. This study was done for the
winter of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The skills that would be beneficial in order to
engage in this study would be data collection, attention to detail, and being able to plan
and schedule. There were four treatment groups and each sound/call was rotated so it
is important to be able to plan and schedule accordingly. Data collection skills are
important as well since multiple pieces of data are taken over a span of a couple
months for two years. This study does in fact provide a model for the type of research I
would like to do. I would want to pick an organism to study how its environment affects
it, though I would prefer to study an aquatic species. Studying an aquatic species might
be harder to do in Statesboro.

The second thesis I analysed was “Functional Morphology of the Coral Catshark
Atelomycterus marmoratus Electrosensory System”, by Charissa L. Simpson. Simpson
is a biology major and published the thesis in November 2018. The purpose of the study
was to determine the location and the density of the pores found in Atelomycterus
marmoratus and to evaluate the behavioral responses to electrical signals.
Atelomycterus marmoratus are known as coral or marbled catsharks, an elasmobranch
species. They are benthic predators in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. These
sharks are mostly active during twilight and night hours, not relying solely on vision. It
can be inferred that they rely more on electroreception. This study was done by
acquiring the sharks (n-4) through eggs from an aquarium distributor. The eggs were
then hatched in the laboratory in Georgia Southern. After hatching the sharks were fed
on a specific diet and kept in pairs in 40-55 gallon aquariums. Each aquarium was set
up to accommodate the shark's needs and temperatures. Before the experiments
began, the sharks were fasted for seven days to ensure they would search for food.
These sharks were used to test behavior sensitivity to electrical signals. They were
placed in different experimental aquariums with two electric dipoles. Each dipole was
activated randomly and switched off after a bite response. Each shark was tested 6-8
times and was given a week of normal feedings between trials. A camera was set up to
record angles and distances, which were needed for the formula created. This part of
the experiment was to find the ladder part of the study. To find the first part, incidental
mortalities (n-6) were used. Pores were counted on each shark using a light
microscope. Digital pictures and videos were taken of both parts of the study. The skills
that would be beneficial for this study would be data collection, mathematical skills, and
knowledge in aquarium upkeep. Multiple data was collected and used in a formula
created to find the strength of the electric field at the point of orientation. Having more
than a base in math would be extremely beneficial. These sharks were hatched and
cared for in the laboratory, not observed in their natural environment. Maintaining and
regulating aquariums for the coral cat shark is very important. You want your subjects to
be healthy. This study does serve as a model for the kind of research I want to partake
in. I’m really interested in marine life and this study falls under it.
 I believe research is important to further your understanding on a topic. It is a
hands-on experience and you discover new information whether it supports your
hypothesis or not. Doing research requires certain skills like data collection, scheduling
and planning, attention to detail, critical thinking, etc. It is an amazing experience to
hone down on those skills. Research may also help you stand out to potential
employers or universities, especially if it pertains to something the recruiter is interested
in as well. If it doesn’t pertain to them than It is still an interesting point of discussion. If I
do completely turn to marine biology as my career then a thesis with marine life would
be extremely beneficial to attain jobs and even internships. Research is overall
beneficial to me for my future.