Fatema Rahman LS1 Demo 2 Scientific Method Introduction The point of this lab was to have us use the

scientific method by observing and recording animal behavior patterns. Observing animal behaviors lets us see how the behavior is similar and different across species (Life Science Core, 2013). They often repeat specific behaviors. In this lab, we looked at two different squirrel species, the Spermophilus Beechyi and the Spermophilus Variegatus, applying snake scent. The significance of comparing snake scent application (SSA) between the two squirrel species is to see if it is a type of species specific behavior. The hypothesis that we had was that the squirrels applied snake scent randomly to their body parts in order to mask their own scent form their predators. Therefore, the null hypothesis was that SSA behavior was not random and was not used to mask their scent. I believe that this behavior is random and that it is used to mask their scent.

Methods The methods I followed are as stated in the Scientific Method Lab Handout. Results Flank S. Beechyi S. Variegatus 24 18 Tail 28 16 Front Leg 3 14 Hind Leg 19 18 Head 2 12

Chi-Square data for S. Beechyi Flank Tail Expected 15.2 15.2 Observed 24 28 O-E 8.8 12.8 (O-E)^2 77.4 163.84 ((O5.09 10.78 E)^2)/E Chi-Square data for S. Variegatus Flank Tail Expected 15.6 15.6 Observed 18 16 O-E 2.4 0.4 (O-E)^2 5.76 0.16 ((O0.37 0.01 E)^2)/E

Front Leg 15.2 3 -12.2 148.84 9.79

Hind Leg 15.2 19 3.8 14.4 0.95

Head 15.2 2 13.2 174.24 11.46

Total 76 76

38.07

Front Leg 15.6 14 -1.6 2.56 0.16

Hind Leg 15.6 18 2.4 5.67 0.37

Head 15.6 12 -3.6 12.96 0.83

Total 78 78

1.74

Table of Chi-Squared critical Values (Life Science Core, 2013)

Df 1 2 3 4 5 0.10 2.706 4.605 6.251 7.779 9.236 0.05 3.841 5.991 7.815 9.488 11.070 0.025 5.024 7.378 9.348 11.143 12.833 0.01 6.635 9.210 11.345 13.277 15.086 0.001 10.828 13.816 16.266 18.467 20.515

Since I have 4 degrees of freedom, the critical values needed to be achieved before the difference is considered significant at 0.05 and 0.01 probability is 9.488 and 13.277 respectively. The X value for S. Beechyi of 38.07 exceeds both of the critical values for 0.05 and 0.01 probability. The X value for S. Variegatus of 1.74 does not exceed any of the critical values for 0.05 and 0.01 probability. The behavior is random for S. Beechi while it is not random for S. Variegatus. Discussion The results allowed us to reject the null hypothesis for the S. Beechi but not for the S. Variegatus. For future studies, if we wanted to see if the behavior was influenced by mating behaviors, then we would have to study whether males repeated this pattern more often than females during their mating season. A study cannot be conclusive with only two species of squirrels and would require many samples from every squirrel species to better out understanding in this area. References Clucas, b Life Science Core, UCLA. 2008-12. Life Science 1 Evolution Ecology and Biodiversity Demonstration Manual. Edition 10.1.