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Crayfish Shelter-Seeking Behavior as an Experimental System to Teach Experimental Design and Research Skills to Undergraduate Biology Students

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Title: Crayfish Shelter-Seeking Behavior as an Experimental System to Teach Experimental Design and Research Skills to Undergraduate Biology Students
Language: English
Authors: Johnathan G. Davis, Amelia Atwell, Stefanie Baker, Kelli Carroll, Matthew Crook, Lori Cruz
Source: Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching. 2025 51:13-20.
Availability: Association of College and Biology Educators. Web site: http://acube.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Animal Behavior, Student Research, Research Skills, Science Experiments, Design, Undergraduate Students, Biology, Hands on Science, Ecology
Geographic Terms: South Carolina
ISSN: 1539-2422
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.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493123
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Crayfish Shelter-Seeking Behavior as an Experimental System to Teach Experimental Design and Research Skills to Undergraduate Biology Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Johnathan+G%2E+Davis%22">Johnathan G. Davis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amelia+Atwell%22">Amelia Atwell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stefanie+Baker%22">Stefanie Baker</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kelli+Carroll%22">Kelli Carroll</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matthew+Crook%22">Matthew Crook</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lori+Cruz%22">Lori Cruz</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Bioscene%3A+Journal+of+College+Biology+Teaching%22"><i>Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching</i></searchLink>. 2025 51:13-20.
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  Data: 8
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animal+Behavior%22">Animal Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Research%22">Student Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Skills%22">Research Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Experiments%22">Science Experiments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Design%22">Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biology%22">Biology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hands+on+Science%22">Hands on Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ecology%22">Ecology</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22South+Carolina%22">South Carolina</searchLink>
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  Data: 1539-2422
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: 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.
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 13
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      – SubjectFull: Animal Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Research
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      – SubjectFull: Research Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Science Experiments
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hands on Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ecology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: South Carolina
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Crayfish Shelter-Seeking Behavior as an Experimental System to Teach Experimental Design and Research Skills to Undergraduate Biology Students
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