Crayfish shelter-seeking behavior as an experimental system to teach experimental design and research skills to undergraduate biology students.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Crayfish shelter-seeking behavior as an experimental system to teach experimental design and research skills to undergraduate biology students.
Authors:	Davis, Johnathan G.¹ davisjg@wofford.edu, Atwell, Amelia¹, Baker, Stefanie¹, Carroll, Kelli¹, Crook, Matthew¹, Cruz, Lori¹
Source:	Bioscene. Dec2025, Vol. 51, p13-20. 8p.
Subject Terms:	Experimental design, Research skills, Biology education, Student projects, Crayfish, Animal behavior, Habitat selection
Abstract:	During the 2023 - 2024 academic year, a research system based upon the study of crayfish shelter-seeking behavior was developed to facilitate an authentic research experience in a new course for second-year students focused on practicing scientific skills related to evaluating primary literature, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing results, and communicating research findings. Crayfish were utilized due to their availability from local streams and biological supply companies, hardiness and low mortality in aquaria, and their use as experimental models in studies of genetics, neuroscience, and animal behavior. Students evaluated shelter-seeking behavior in response to manipulations of shelter types, substrates, artificial light, and other variables. Crayfish were held in 10-gallon aquaria, provided with shelters, and tested in experimental arenas that students manipulated based upon their research hypothesis. More than 100 students conducted research across six course sections, developing more than 20 unique projects. Students reported results in both written and oral formats, describing substrate and shelter preferences under lab conditions that closely mimic their natural habitats and possible effects of artificial light at night on nocturnal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	During the 2023 - 2024 academic year, a research system based upon the study of crayfish shelter-seeking behavior was developed to facilitate an authentic research experience in a new course for second-year students focused on practicing scientific skills related to evaluating primary literature, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing results, and communicating research findings. Crayfish were utilized due to their availability from local streams and biological supply companies, hardiness and low mortality in aquaria, and their use as experimental models in studies of genetics, neuroscience, and animal behavior. Students evaluated shelter-seeking behavior in response to manipulations of shelter types, substrates, artificial light, and other variables. Crayfish were held in 10-gallon aquaria, provided with shelters, and tested in experimental arenas that students manipulated based upon their research hypothesis. More than 100 students conducted research across six course sections, developing more than 20 unique projects. Students reported results in both written and oral formats, describing substrate and shelter preferences under lab conditions that closely mimic their natural habitats and possible effects of artificial light at night on nocturnal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	15392422