ABSNet, Vol 17, Issue 5
Shan Duncan
sdduncan at abs.animalbehavior.org
Thu Jun 18 10:21:29 EDT 2009
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A B S N e t - Electronic Newsletter
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Maintained in association with the Animal Behavior Society
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Editor: Shan D. Duncan Internet: sdduncan at abs.animalbehavior.org
Editorial Support: * James C. Ha Internet: jcha at u.washington.edu
Today's Topics:
1. Data Request: Meta-Analysis of Trivers-Willard hypothesis for
human birth sex ratio
2. AIBS Legislative Action Center
3. Teaching opportunity: Companion Animal Behavior Courses and
residencies
4. UFAW Symposium 2009 - Still time to register.
5. postdoc evolutionary ecology, U of MI
6. VISTING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY
7. Fw: 2 Ph.D. Positions Available
8. Press release Noldus Announces The Observer XT 9.0 Release
9. ABS Annual Meeting - Brazil09: Reminder Silent Auction
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Message: 1
From: John Lazarus <J.Lazarus at newcastle.ac.uk>
Subject: Data Request: Meta-Analysis of Trivers-Willard hypothesis
for human birth sex ratio
To: absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org
Cc: joansilk at gmail.com, Gillian <grb4 at st-andrews.ac.uk>,
jonathan.sayers at newcastle.ac.uk
Message-ID: <a06240805c641e9f86613@[192.168.1.5]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
I would be grateful if you could post the following:
Meta-Analysis of Trivers-Willard hypothesis for human birth sex ratio
Together with Gillian Brown, Jonathan Sayers and Joan Silk I am
carrying out a meta-analysis of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis for
the human birth sex ratio. We have virtually completed data
acquisition from the journal literature but in order to be as
inclusive as possible and to deal with the file-drawer problem (the
potential under-reporting of negative findings) I would be interested
to hear from anyone who has relevant data, either unpublished or
published in books, dissertations, theses, conference proceedings,
etc. We will of course acknowledge all contributors in our
publication of this work.
John Lazarus
Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
Institute of Neuroscience
Room 285 Henry Wellcome Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4HH
UK
Tel. +44 (0)191 222 6181
--
Best wishes,
John
_____________________________________________________
Dr John Lazarus
Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
Institute of Neuroscience, Henry Wellcome Building
Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
Tel. +44 (0)191 222 6181, +44 (0)191 222 6180 messages
Fax +44 (0)191 222 5622 http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/staff/profile/j.lazarus
_____________________________________________________
Due to a repetitive strain hand injury this may be a rather brief emaiI.
You may prefer to phone me on 0191 222 6181.
If this e-mail looks odd blame my voice-activated software!
_____________________________________________________
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Message: 2
From: Molly Morris <morrism at ohiou.edu>
Subject: AIBS Legislative Action Center
To: absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org
Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20090529100518.04c665b8 at oak.cats.ohiou.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
Dear ABS Members,
I write to alert you to an important new science policy tool that [YOUR
ORGANIZATION’S NAME] is able to bring to you through our relationship
with
the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The Society for
the
Study of Evolution, Association of Ecosystem Research Centers, Botanical
Society of America, American Society for Limnology and Oceanography, and
AIBS have teamed to launch a new online advocacy/lobbying tool that
allows
scientists to quickly and effectively communicate with members of
Congress,
the President, and the news media – from national to local news outlets.
If scientists are to play a role in shaping science policy, securing
increased funding for scientific research, promoting science
education, or
just generally helping policymakers and the public understand scientific
issues, it is important that we all become active citizens. One way
to do
this is to build a relationship with policymakers and to regularly
communicate with them. The AIBS Legislative Action Center can help you
build this relationship.
I encourage you to visit this site
(<http://www.capwiz.com/aibs>www.capwiz.com/aibs) today. Once at the
site,
you can quickly send a prepared letter to your Representative and
Senators
or a letter to President Obama thanking him for working to include
billions
of dollars for scientific research in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (i.e., the stimulus package).
Please take advantage of this exciting new tool and start communicating
with your members of Congress today. It is important that we actively
promote our science to our lawmakers.
Molly R Morris
President, Animal Behavior Society
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Message: 3
From: Marine Cassoret <mcassoret at amcollege.us>
Subject: Teaching opportunity: Companion Animal Behavior Courses and
residencies
To: absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org
Message-ID: <13905390-BF4E-427B-B9DD-9665BCA9781F at amcollege.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed; delsp=yes
The American college of Applied Science is looking for adjunct faculty
members to teach the following courses:
Course: Avian Behavior and Intervention (Online course, Graduate Level)
Course: Small Mammal and reptile behavior and intervention (Online
course, Graduate Level)
Course: Equine Studies (Undergraduate Level: BS in Companion Animal
Science)
Residency: Equine Behavior and Intervention (5-day residency, Graduate
level)
The graduate courses and on-site residency are part of the College's
Masters Degree in Companion Animal Behavior Counseling.
Applicants should have a Masters Degree (PhD preferred) in a related
field of study. Experience with online teaching preferable, but not a
requisite.
Please send your resumé to:
Marine Cassoret, Chairperson, Department of Animal Science
mcassoret at amcollege.us or Fax: (386)-698-3756
1-800-403-3347 ext.713
www.amcollege.us
Marine Cassoret, Ph.D.
Chairperson, Dept. of Animal Science
American College of Applied Science
123 Dream Pond Road
P.O. Box 825
Crescent City, FL 32112-0825 USA
U.S. Phone: 800-403-3347, ext. 713
Phone from outside of the U.S. (1) 407-574-3956
Fax: 386-698-3756
Email: mcassoret at amcollege.us
Web site: http://amcollege.us
Virtual Campus: http://amcollege.net
Realizing your dreams through higher education.
------------------------------
Message: 4
From: "Stephen Wickens" <wickens at ufaw.org.uk>
Subject: UFAW Symposium 2009 - Still time to register.
To: <absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Message-ID: <00dd01c9e387$3be39330$b3aab990$@org.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1257"
Darwinian selection, selective breeding and the welfare of animals
UFAW International Symposium 2009, University of Bristol, UK
22nd – 23rd June 2009
2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the
150th anniversary of the publication of his ‘On The Origin of Species
.’.
In recognition of these anniversaries, the UK-based scientific and
educational charity the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
(UFAW) is
holding a two day international symposium at the University of Bristol
that
will consider the impacts of natural selection and of our selective
breeding
of animals on their welfare.
The programme of contributors has just been announced and the list of
speakers is as follows. Abstracts of these talks and of the poster
presentations can be found on the UFAW website – www.ufaw.org.uk :
Day One: 22nd June (9:20-17:05)
Session 1:
* JK Kirkwood (UFAW):
Introduction to the symposium
* J Quinn (University of
Oxford): The adaptive significance of personality traits in nature
* P Jensen (University of
Linköping): Domestication, selection, behaviour and welfare of animals –
genetic mechanisms for rapid response
Session 2:
* P McGreevy (University of
Sydney): Challenges and paradoxes in the companion animal niche
* RB D’Eath, AB Lawrence, J
Conington, IAS Olsson and P Sand¸e (Scottish Agricultural College,
University of Porto and University of Copenhagen): Breeding for
behavioural
change in farm animals: practical and ethical considerations
* M Ðpinka (Institute of
Animal Science, Prague): Domestication effects on animal emotional
signalisation: A conceptual model
Session 3:
* J Yeates (University of
Bristol): Breeding for pleasure: The value of pleasure and pain in
evolution
and welfare ethics
* PA Oltenacu and D M Broom
(Oklahoma State University and University of Cambridge): The impact of
genetic selection for increased milk yield on the welfare of dairy cows
* MD Cooper and JHM
Wrathall (RSPCA): Assurance schemes as a tool to tackle genetic welfare
problems in broilers
Session 4:
* J Hurst (University of
Liverpool): On the origin of laboratory mice and consequences for
welfare
* P Honess, MA Griffiths
and S Narainapoullé (University of Oxford and Bioculture (Mauritius)
Ltd):
Selective breeding of primates: Consequences and challenges
* T Woodfine (Durrell
Institute): Wild animal conservation genetics
* SP Redrobe and JB Carroll
(Bristol Zoological Gardens): Gorilla reproduction in captivity – to
assist
or not
Drinks reception at Bristol’s City Museum
and Art Gallery from 19:00
Day Two: 23rd June (9:30-17:10)
Session 5:
* LM Collins, L Asher, G
Diesel and JF Summers (Royal Veterinary College, UK): Conforming to
standards: A review of inherited defects as a consequence of physical
conformation in pedigree dogs
* TB Rodenburg, P Bijma, ED
Ellen, R Bergsma, S de Vries, JE Bolhuis, B Kemp and JAM van Arendonk
(University of Wageningen and Institute for Pig Genetics, The
Netherlands):
Breeding amiable animals? Improving farm animal welfare by including
social
effects into the genetic model
* PC Trimmer, JAR Marshall,
JM McNamara and AI Houston (Scottish Agricultural College): A
theoretical
analysis of the evolution of fear
Session 6:
* J Conington (Scottish
Agricultural College): Natural selection for easier sheep management
* TW Lewis, JA Woolliams
and SC Blott (Animal Health Trust and The Roslin Institute, UK):
Optimisation of breeding strategies to reduce the prevalence of
inherited
disease in pedigree dogs
* JM Macfarlane, SM
Matheson and CM Dwyer (Scottish Agricultural College): Genetic
parameters
for lamb birth difficulty, vigour and sucking ability in Suffolk sheep
* JWS Bradshaw and ES Paul
(University of Bristol): Is (was) empathy for animals an adaptation?
Session 7:
* T Mark & P Sand¸e
(University of Copenhagen): New genomic developments in dairy cattle
breeding – the risks and opportunities for health and welfare
* R Casey and JWS Bradshaw
(University of Bristol): Individual differences in behavioural response
style in domestic cats
* SP Turner, R Roehe, RB
D’Eath, SH Ison, M Farish, MC Jack and AB Lawrence (Scottish
Agricultural
College): Selection against pig aggressiveness at regrouping; practical
application and implications for long-term behavioural patterns
Session 8:
* G Mason (University of
Guelph): The ‘comparative approach’: Using inter-species variation to
test
evolutionary and ecological hypotheses about animal welfare
* FD McMillan (Best Friends
Animal Society, USA): Selective breeding in fighting dogs: What have we
created?
* NJ Rooney (University of
Bristol): Welfare concerns associated with pedigree dog breeding in
the UK
This symposium is the latest in UFAW’s continuing and successful
programme
of themed international meetings that bring together leading scientists,
veterinarians, policy makers and all those with an interest in animals
and
their welfare.
A registration form can be downloaded from the website, and we have been
able to offer a few more student places at £140.00.
A drinks reception has been arranged at Bristol’s City Museum and Art
Gallery on the evening of the 22nd.
It is intended that that the proceedings of this symposium will be
published
as a special issue of ‘Animal Welfare’.
Yours,
Stephen Wickens, PhD
Development Officer
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, UK
Email: wickens at ufaw.org.uk
Direct tel/fax: +(0)1276 500880
Office: +(0)1582 831818 (tel), 831414 (fax)
Registered Charity No 207996 (Registered in England) and Company
Limited by
Guarantee No 579991
The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) is an independent
registered UK charity that works to develop and promote improvements
in the
welfare of all animals through scientific and educational activity
worldwide.
Science in the service of animal welfare
------------------------------
Message: 5
From: "Tibbetts, Elizabeth" <tibbetts at umich.edu>
Subject: postdoc evolutionary ecology, U of MI
To: "absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org"
<absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Message-ID:
<B3223B7DD92E25479DC6E3837AEBC42F047046DFAD at ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu
>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Postdoctoral position in evolutionary ecology available in the
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of
Michigan.
I am searching for a creative and motivated postdoc to particulate in
a project examining endocrine-mediated behavioral and physiological
plasticity in paper wasps. Independent research related to
communication, cooperation, or evolutionary endocrinology is also
encouraged. Two years of funding are available. The position is
available immediately and the start date is flexible. You must have
earned a PhD in a relevant discipline at the time of appointment. To
apply: send cover letter summarizing your qualifications and
interests, a curriculum vitae, representative reprints or preprints,
and the names and contact information for two references.
Applications and inquiries should be addressed to Elizabeth Tibbetts, tibbetts at umich.edu
<mailto:tibbetts at umich.edu>. For more details on research conducted in
the Tibbetts lab see http://sitemaker.umich.edu/socialwasps/home.
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer.
Elizabeth Tibbetts
Assistant Professor
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Michigan
------------------------------
Message: 6
From: "John Swaddle" <jpswad at wm.edu>
Subject: VISTING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY
To: <absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Message-ID: <000801c9e481$4db5bd40$d579ef80 at campus.wm.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
VISTING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY
The Department of Biology at the College of William and Mary seeks
applications for a one-year visiting Assistant Professor position in
BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY. The position is open to applicants conducting
research
in any field of ecology and/or animal behavior. The primary
responsibility
of the successful candidate is to teach an undergraduate course in
animal
behavior and another in general ecology, one per semester. We also
expect
the successful candidate to integrate undergraduate students into their
research program. As there are a core group of behavior and ecology
faculty
at William and Mary, we also encourage applicants to propose
collaborative
research projects in their application materials. Contact information
for
behavioral faculty can be found at
http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/research/majorareas/behavioral.php. A
completed
PhD is required, and previous experience teaching undergraduate
courses will
be viewed favorably.
Review begins June 16, 2009 and will continue until an appointment is
made.
Submit by email the following documents to the search chair (John
Swaddle,
jpswad at wm.edu): a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statements of
research plans at William and Mary, a statement of teaching philosophy
and
experience, and contact information for three professional references.
Please combine all of these documents into a single PDF file with the
applicant's name as the title of the file.
Information on the undergraduate and master's degree programs in the
biology
department may be obtained at www.wm.edu/biology. The College is an
EEO/AA
employer.
_____________________________________
Dr. John Swaddle
Director of Environmental Science and Policy Program
College of William and Mary
Millington Hall
Landrum Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
http://jpswad.people.wm.edu/
Tel. 757.221.2231
Fax. 757.221.6483
------------------------------
Message: 7
From: Wendy Schrader <wjschrader at yahoo.com>
Subject: Fw: 2 Ph.D. Positions Available
To: absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org
Cc: jcha at u.washington.edu, swatkaikoura at yahoo.com
Message-ID: <443538.94949.qm at web56604.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
2 Ph.D. Positions Available
Sperm Whales and Tourism - Kaikoura, New Zealand
I am currently seeking two Ph.D. students to investigate interactions
between sperm whales and tourism off Kaikoura New Zealand over the
next 2.5 years (field research to begin August, 2009). Both positions
include logistical support, equipment, housing, and a modest expense
budget for field work. Position 1 will be a research vessel-based
project, focusing on photo-identification and surface behavioral
responses of whales to tour vessels. Position 2 will combine shore-
based monitoring and monitoring from onboard tour vessels and aircraft
to examine behavior and movements.
Minimum Qualifications (both positions):
1. Bachelor’s degree and relevant scientific research experience.
2. Ability to work effectively, both independently and cooperatively,
as a member of a research team.
3. Ability to take responsibility as a research leader.
4. Ability to communicate and work effectively, responsibly, and
respectfully with a diverse group of community stakeholders.
5. Ability to conduct physically demanding field work at sea and on
land.
Preferred Qualifications (both positions):
1. Master’s degree in a relevant field
2. Demonstrated academic excellence
3. Experience with GIS, database, and statistical software
Additional Qualifications:
Position 1 (vessel-based research) Additional Minimum Qualifications
1. Extensive boating experience, including a minimum of 6 months (750+
hours) working on commercial vessels and/or 3,000+ hours on
recreational vessels
2. Ability to conduct research from a small vessel on the open sea.
Position 1 (vessel-based research) Additional Preferred Qualifications:
1. Skipper Certifications: New Zealand MSA Boat Master, Local Launch
Operator, Inshore Launch Master, or equivalent.
2. New Zealand Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate or equivalent
3. Water safety, first aid certifications
4. Photo-identification experience and/or other high-speed SLR
photography experience
5. Experience studying cetaceans from a research vessel.
Position 2 (shore-based research) Additional Preferred qualifications:
1. Experience with shore-based monitoring of cetaceans
2. Experience with a surveyor’s theodolite
To apply, send an email with your last name in the subject line and
the following attachments to:
Dr. Tim Markowitz
Sperm Whales and Tourism Research Team Leader, Kaikoura, New Zealand
School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury
email: swatkaikoura at yahoo.com
1. A letter which clearly states which position(s) you are interested
in, and summarizes your academic and scientific background, work
experience, research interests, and how you meet the qualifications
listed above
2. A copy of your CV
3. A list of at least 3 professional references with contact information
4. Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts and/or a list of
university courses taken and grades.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until two
candidates have been selected.
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Message: 8
From: Annelies Verkerk <ANV at Noldus.NL>
Subject: Press release Noldus Announces The Observer XT 9.0 Release
To: "absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org"
<absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Message-ID: <C511C26DE142F1479A31D91D10DF1651239F496265 at nit-srv4>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Noldus Announces The Observer XT 9.0 Release
Wageningen, The Netherlands 16 June 2009 - Noldus Information
Technology this week announced the release of The Observer® XT 9.0,
the latest in behavioral research software. Along with this release,
Noldus announced the launch of Pocket Observer 3.0. It allows you to
perform behavioral coding on a handheld computer, making on-site
research possible. These innovative products are available worldwide
from our headquarters in The Netherlands, offices across Europe, the
United States, China, and via a worldwide network of distributors.
The Observer XT is an invaluable research tool for researchers and
practitioners worldwide. With a 20 year track record and citations in
more than 2000 scientific publications, The Observer XT is considered
the gold-standard of software for the collection, analysis, and
presentation of observational data. This new release of The Observer
XT enables universities, research institutes, and companies worldwide
to benefit from the latest in observational research software. New
features include an advanced find functionality to explore results and
retrieve information quickly, support for coding in Chinese and
Japanese characters, a RSS feed integrated in the software, for easy
access to downloads and extensive documentation, and the possibility
to combine time sampling with continuous recording during the
observation.
Noldus also announced a new release of Pocket Observer, which is now
fully compatible with The Observer XT. Pocket Observer runs on a
variety of mobile devices, ranging from smart phones to rugged
handhelds. It is the ideal event logging tool for live observations in
natural settings such as classrooms, stables, shops, or in offices.
Even in hostile environments, such as tropical rainforests and
deserts, researchers can count on the durability of our handheld
observation system.
“This release makes The Observer XT even more useful and versatile for
behavioral research. Its new features make coding easier and faster”
states Albert Willemsen, Marketing Manager at Noldus. “The new Pocket
Observer is more convenient than ever. But perhaps the most important
improvement is the addition of Asian characters. Our customers in Asia
can now code and transcribe in their own language”.
International approach
As Noldus strives for global excellence, customers using Chinese or
Japanese characters are now able to code, edit, and add comments in
The Observer XT in their own language. Together with the recently
opened office in Beijing and a Chinese version of the popular Noldus
website, Noldus is offering more and more tools to the global research
community.
About Noldus
Noldus Information Technology is a leading developer of software tools
and integrated solutions for the study of human and animal behavior.
Technologies include advanced digital video, observational data
collection, video tracking, physiological data acquisition, eye
tracking, user-system interaction logging, facial expression data
analysis, and pattern detection. With global headquarters in The
Netherlands, the company operates from offices across Europe, the
United States, China, and via a worldwide network of distributors.
Press contact
Annelies Verkerk, marketing communications specialist
Noldus Information Technology bv
Website: http://www.noldus.com
Email: a.verkerk at noldus.nl
Phone: +31-317-473300
------------------------------
Message: 9
From: Shan Duncan <sdduncan at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Subject: ABS Annual Meeting - Brazil09: Reminder Silent Auction
To: absnet-post at abs.animalbehavior.org
Message-ID:
<8E2A258F-96BE-4C1B-A61B-31117EDBD35B at abs.animalbehavior.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
REMINDER
Please bring items to Pirenopolis to donate to the SILENT AUCTION: (1)
Books on animal behavior, biology, ecology, conservation, applied
animal behavior, etc.; (2) autographed books from ABS authors; (3)
items with animal themes (t-shirts, jewelry, calendars, greeting
cards, posters, etc.); (4) software useful for members (statistics,
data collection, etc.); (5) videotapes for teaching or entertainment
with behavior themes; (6) memorabilia from past ABS meetings and
members (vintage artifacts); (7) animal photography; (8) animal
artwork; (9) statistical consulting; (10) behind-the-scenes tour of a
zoo, etc. Donated items will be placed on tables next to bidding
forms, or described, if the item is not present.
BRING TEXTBOOKS TO BRAZIL FOR LATIN-AMERICAN STUDENTS Consider
bringing a used textbook with you to Brazil! Textbooks can be
expensive to buy in Latin American because of the shipping and the
exchange rate, so many student share textbooks in their classes. For
example, bringing even an out-of-print Alcock or Drickamer and Vessey
would help out the students and the instructors!
You can drop off auction items and books for students at the
registration desk or get them to Jim or Renee Ha.
*************************************************************************
Renee Robinette Ha, PhD robinet at u.washington.edu
Department of Psychology http://faculty.washington.edu/robinet/
University of Washington
Box 351525 Rota Avian Behavioral Ecology Program
Seattle, WA 98195 http://depts.washington.edu/rabep/index.html
*************************************************************************
------------------------------
Contact Addresses:
James Ha
Department of Psychology and National Primate Research Center
University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
Shan D. Duncan
Animal Behavior Society Central Office at Indiana University
402 N. Park St, Bloomington, IN 47405
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