Investigating Issues in the Laboratory

Abstract

Recent reform initiatives in undergraduate biology call for curricula that prepare students for dealing with real-world issues and making important links between science and society. In response to this call, we have developed an issues-based laboratory module that uses guided inquiry to integrate the concepts of animal behavior and population biology into an issue of both local and global relevance. The issue associated with this module is "What should be done about invasive crayfish?" Students investigate plausible reasons why crayfish are often successful invasive species through hypothesis testing, collection of behavioral data on live crayfish, and quantitative reasoning. Students also consider economic and environmental impacts of invasive species on local and global ecosystems. We implemented this module in a large introductory biology course and conducted survey research to evaluate the module's potential to serve as an interesting and valuable learning experience for undergraduate biology students. I n v e s t I g a t I o n Laboratory: The Behavior of Red Swamp Crayfish as an Invasive Species the winners of agonistic interactions between invasive Procambarus clarkii (red swamp crayfish) and the implications for invasive-species management. Students learn concepts and principles of animal behavior while applying this information to a real-world issue. Crayfish as Invasive-Species Models J J JRed swamp crayfish was an advantageous study species for these topics because of its value as a model for both ecological invasion and behavior. Specifically, we chose crayfish because they provide an excellent example of a locally relevant ecological issue. Given the cosmopolitan nature of their role as invaders, this module will have local relevance in a great many other places and can be adapted to many geographic areas. It is appropriate for both secondary and postsecondary biology courses.Additionally, while several hypotheses exist regarding the mechanisms that facilitate the exclusion of native species by invasive crayfish, there is agreement that agonistic (aggressive and submissive) interactions between and within species play a large role in the exclusion of native species (Gherardi & Daniels, 2004; Gherardi, 2007). Agonistic behaviors are well documented, reliable, and easy to observe in a laboratory setting (Tierney et al., 2000), making them ideal for students who lack experience with behavioral analyses. Finally, crayfish are readily available from distributors and easy to maintain in a laboratory setting. Table 2 outlines the materials needed for instructors to successfully run the laboratory module in a large or small course. Materials J J J Methods J J J