Studying mate choice in the wild using 3D printed decoys and action cameras: a case of study of male choice in the northern map turtle

Bulté, Grégory; Chlebak, Ryan J.; Dawson, J. W.; Blouin‐Demers, Gabriel

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.02.018

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Photogrammetry may be the easiest and most cost effective method, especially if a scanner is not available. In addition, photogrammetry can be used to augment an image produced by 3D scanning: in the creation of 3D printed northern map turtle decoys, the carapace and legs of a dried specimen were scanned and the head was digitally rendered using photographs [32]. Alternatively, mathematical formulae may be used to generate different shapes, such as the surface of a bird egg [27] or the curvature of a flower corolla [30].…”

Section: Workflow Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18[29] Social behavior of zebrafish in response to varying stimuliZebrafish ( Danio rerio )Predatory fish model robot shoals comprising 3 zebrafish that varied in body size plus anchoring materials biologically-inspired zebrafish replicaABS plasticABS plasticABS plastic14 shoals1[68][28] [45] Influence of female body size on mate choice by malesNorthern map turtles ( Graptemys geographica )Replicas of female turtles that differed in body sizeABS plastic4[32] Evaluation of 3D printing as suitable method for field predation model studiesBrown anole ( Anolis sagrei )Lizard models using 2 print media, covered in clay, and field-tested for predationABS plastic, plastic-wood hybrid filament17This studyThermal ecology Comparing thermodynamics of 3D printed and copper lizard modelsTexas horned lizard ( Phrynosoma cornutum )Thermal models of lizardsABS plastic10[13]Tools—experimental areas Evaluation of 3D printed soil as suitable for fungal colonizationPlant pathogenic fungus ( Rhizoctonia solani )Artificial soil from 3D scans of soil with varying micropore structureNylon 1210[33] Comparing hydraulic properties of 3D printed soil relative to real soilSoilArtificial soil from 3D scans of soilResin (Visijet Crystal EX 200 Plastic Material)14[34] Microscale bacterial cell–cell interactions Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphlylococcus aureus “Designer” bacterial ecosystems that vary in size, geometry and spatial distance with exact starting quantities of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus GelatinNR[47, 48] Effect of interstitial space on predator–prey interactionsBlue crab ( Cal...…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For testing hypotheses in both lab and field conditions, 3D printing may be incredibly useful for making precise, repeatable models. Three-dimensional printing has already been used to create precise models of bird eggs to test egg rejection behavior in the context of brood parasitism [27], zebrafish shoals to test the effect of body size on zebrafish shoaling preferences [28], artificial flower corollas to test the effect of floral traits on pollinator visitation [29–31], and female turtle decoys to test the effect of body size on mate choice [32] (Table 1). In these studies, 3D printing was chosen for its ability to create identical experimental stimuli because alternative methods, such as constructing models by hand, could introduce unintentional variation that makes it difficult to determine whether study subjects are responding to intentional or unintentional variation in experimental stimuli.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There may be scenarios where 3D printing will not produce more biologically accurate models than other methods, but in many cases, 3D printing will increase the types of behavioral questions that can be asked [27]. For example, northern map turtles ( Graptemys geographica ) are sensitive to captivity, and using 3D printed decoys of females permitted field studies of male mating behavior whereas using live females for the same study would have been detrimental to their survival [32]. Within the field of behavioral ecology research, 3D printing can be used to test myriad behaviors including predation (see “Workflow application”), reproduction, foraging, social interactions, and defense in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benefits and limitations of three-dimensional printing technology for ecological research

et al. 2018

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BackgroundEcological research often involves sampling and manipulating non-model organisms that reside in heterogeneous environments. As such, ecologists often adapt techniques and ideas from industry and other scientific fields to design and build equipment, tools, and experimental contraptions custom-made for the ecological systems under study. Three-dimensional (3D) printing provides a way to rapidly produce identical and novel objects that could be used in ecological studies, yet ecologists have been slow to adopt this new technology. Here, we provide ecologists with an introduction to 3D printing.ResultsFirst, we give an overview of the ecological research areas in which 3D printing is predicted to be the most impactful and review current studies that have already used 3D printed objects. We then outline a methodological workflow for integrating 3D printing into an ecological research program and give a detailed example of a successful implementation of our 3D printing workflow for 3D printed models of the brown anole, Anolis sagrei, for a field predation study. After testing two print media in the field, we show that the models printed from the less expensive and more sustainable material (blend of 70% plastic and 30% recycled wood fiber) were just as durable and had equal predator attack rates as the more expensive material (100% virgin plastic).ConclusionsOverall, 3D printing can provide time and cost savings to ecologists, and with recent advances in less toxic, biodegradable, and recyclable print materials, ecologists can choose to minimize social and environmental impacts associated with 3D printing. The main hurdles for implementing 3D printing—availability of resources like printers, scanners, and software, as well as reaching proficiency in using 3D image software—may be easier to overcome at institutions with digital imaging centers run by knowledgeable staff. As with any new technology, the benefits of 3D printing are specific to a particular project, and ecologists must consider the investments of developing usable 3D materials for research versus other methods of generating those materials.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-018-0190-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Workflow Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benefits and limitations of three-dimensional printing technology for ecological research

et al. 2018

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“…Consequently, we know relatively little about these important behaviors (Liu et al, 2013). We recently successfully used 3D‐printed decoys and underwater videography to show experimentally that free‐ranging male northern map turtles prefer larger females (Bulté et al, 2018). Here, we used a similar approach to test the hypothesis that the presence of rivals influences mate choice in male northern map turtles in the wild.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free‐ranging male northern map turtles use public information when interacting with potential mates

2021

Self Cite

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Sperm competition is prevalent in animals, and many adaptations have evolved to reduce its risk. Males can reduce the risk of sperm competition by using public information when interacting with potential mates. Specifically, males can reduce sperm competition by avoiding females already affiliated with rival males. We tested this hypothesis in a population of wild northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica), a gregarious species with seemingly prevalent sperm competition. We used 3D‐printed decoys and underwater videography to record the response of free‐ranging males to female decoys affiliated or not with rivals. More visits were made by males to female decoys when rivals were present, suggesting a form of eavesdropping during mate selection. Males were more likely to interact with the female decoy, however, when rivals were absent, suggesting that they behave to reduce sperm competition. Moreover, the types of interactions differed between the accompanied and the unaccompanied female decoys, indicating an audience effect during male–female interactions. Finally, males interacted more with the male decoys than with the female decoys in the treatment with rivals, indicating a yet unclear form of male–male interaction. Collectively, our results suggest that free‐ranging male northern map turtles use public information for mate selection and to reduce sperm competition.

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Using eDNA and SCUBA surveys for detection and monitoring of a threatened marine cryptic fish

Bessell

Appleyard

Stuart‐Smith

et al. 2023

Aquatic Conservation

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Quantification of species’ spatial distributions and population trends is crucial for successful conservation efforts. Obtaining sufficient population data, however, is often difficult in the marine environment, especially for rare fish and invertebrate species that are small, cryptic and very difficult to detect. This study sought to understand the effort required to search for undiscovered populations of small, cryptic, marine species in shallow vegetated coastal habitats and track population numbers, using the Critically Endangered red handfish (Thymichthys politus) as a representative species. A sampling strategy was designed using a combination of environmental DNA (eDNA) and structured underwater scuba surveys of life‐like 3D‐printed ‘handfish replicas’ to estimate detectability and ultimately determine whether current population monitoring is adequately covering the remaining habitat occupied by the species. Tested over scales of hundreds of metres to kilometres, the eDNA assays performed relatively poorly in situ, detecting red handfish presence in only ~13% of samples collected from the centre of a known, yet low‐density, red handfish site. In contrast, underwater searches for independently placed handfish replicas by scuba divers indicated that mean detection probabilities at finer scales (~100 m) ranged from 57 to 97%. Near certain (95% probability) detection of an adult handfish was achievable with only one to three surveys (300 m2 belt transects), depending on the habitat complexity. While other species will vary in detectability using eDNA and underwater searches, these findings give insight into the general effort required for the detection of small, rare species inhabiting vegetated coastal environments. Such knowledge not only helps to refine monitoring and conservation efforts for known threatened species, but may also assist in identifying other inconspicuous species whose population declines may otherwise go unnoticed.

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Studying mate choice in the wild using 3D printed decoys and action cameras: a case of study of male choice in the northern map turtle

Cited by 13 publications

References 13 publications

Benefits and limitations of three-dimensional printing technology for ecological research

Benefits and limitations of three-dimensional printing technology for ecological research

Free‐ranging male northern map turtles use public information when interacting with potential mates

Using eDNA and SCUBA surveys for detection and monitoring of a threatened marine cryptic fish

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