2015 SUMMER COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT (June 15-July 10, 2015) FIELD COURSE IN PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR (PRE W-15) COURSE LOCATION: Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a hill facing the Caribbean Sea. Coral reef and seagrass ecosystems lie out in front of the station and lowland tropical rain forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See http://www.itec-edu.org/ for details. There are three species of non-human primates available for study on Isla Colon. INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Zohdy, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Studies, and Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA., email: sarah.zo...@emory.edu <mailto:sarah.zo...@emory.edu> . Specialty: Primate ecology, evolutionary biology, behavior, diet, disease ecology and parasitology. COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to give the student a foundation in primate ecology, primate behavior, field techniques and analytical tools in a tropical setting. Students will live alongside wild primates, will learn ecological and behavioral data collection techniques, and will complete an independent study on one of three primate species native to the area (howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins and owl monkeys). The ultimate goal is for students to develop an integrated and comprehensive perspective on primate behavior, research, and conservation in a tropical setting. The material covered is equivalent to a university upper level field course in primate ecology. The first 10 days of the course will be spent learning field techniques and carrying out various group projects or exercises. Midway through the course the entire station community will take a three-day field trip to cloudforests of Boquete (see details below). Upon returning to the field station, students will work on their individual research projects. Towards the end of the course students will analyze their data, write a technical report and present their findings orally during a station-wide symposium. LECTURES: There will be lectures on ecological concepts, primate ecology, primate behavior, field techniques, behavioral sampling techniques, and analytical tools. The following topics will be covered and discussed as a part of this course in combination with in-class and field activities: Who are the Primates? Primate evolution, taxonomy, and morphology How do you study primates? Research design: Methodology and data collection techniques How do primates interact with each other? Primate communication, social organization, and behavior Why are primates endangered? Conservation and distribution How do primates cope with disease? Disease ecology: Human and wildlife health implications What do primates have to cope with in their environments? Predators, seasonality, habitat destruction What do primates eat? Feeding ecology dietary adaptations What are the ethics of primate research? Ethical considerations in primatology Readings corresponding to lecture topics will be assigned from the required texts and research articles. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Joanna M. Setchell and Deborah J. Curtis (2011). Field and Laboratory Methods in Primatology: A Practical Guide, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press Karen B. Strier (2010). Primate Behavioral Ecology, 4th edition. Prentice Hall. A set of papers derived from articles or book chapters will also be provided during the course. FIELD EXERCISES: Students will learn the following field techniques, which will assist them in establishing their independent field projects: * Behavioral observations (ethogram composition and sampling techniques) * Primate censusing techniques (nocturnal and diurnal) * Habitat profiling (describing different habitats) * Botanical sampling (collecting, and identifying plant samples) * GPS techniques * Primate feeding ecology (measuring and monitoring plant food abundance) * Statistics (SPSS) INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECTS: Working closely with faculty, students will be responsible for designing and completing an original research project of their choosing. The project may deal with any topic in primate ecology or conservation. These projects will be carried out during the second half of the course and students will have about 10 days for data collection. During this 10 day period, students will have the opportunity to provide feedback to one another about research questions and data collection techniques. A few days before the end of the course students will analyze their data, write a technical report, prepare a PowerPoint presentation of their work and orally present their findings at a station-wide symposium on the last day of the course. GRADING: Up to 6 units of credit will be given, 3 for the lecture portion and 3 for the field portion. A letter grade will be assigned based on student moderated classroom discussions, field exercises, daily reflection essays (based on the readings, discussions, and field activities), one written exam, reports, and presentations. A letter reporting a grade will be made available to the student¹s institution. Contact ITEC for details. COURSE SCHEDULE: The course schedule will be determined on site as a function of student needs and preferences. It might be also weather-dependant. Contact Dr. Zohdy for course details. BOQUETE CLOUD FOREST FIELD TRIP: This three-day field trip takes place midway through the course and will allow students the opportunity to visit other areas of Panama, experience Panamanian culture, and to visit tropical cloud and seasonally dry forests first hand. We travel in ITEC boats to the mainland and then by chartered bus to Boquete which lies at the base of 11,000 ft Volcan Baru. The bus trip will take us up and over the central mountain range and through Palo Seco National Park. Several stops will be made in route. COURSE LENGTH: ITEC Summer Session field courses are about four weeks in length. The PRE-15 will run from June 15 through July 10, 2015. TUITION: $2150 USD. Tuition fee includes all lodging, meals and airport transfers in Bocas del Toro. The tuition also covers transportation and lodging during the cloud forest field trip on the mainland. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 10, 2015. The course is limited to 10 students and applications will be evaluated as they arrive. If you believe that your application may arrive late, notify ITEC. APPLICATIONS can be found at http://itec-edu.org/education-programs/application/ <http://itec-edu.org/education-programs/application/> . CONTACT: Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, 2911 NW 40th PL, Gainesville, FL 32605, phone: 352-367-9128, email: i...@itec-edu.org <mailto:i...@itec-edu.org> , web: http://www.itec-edu.org <http://www.itec-edu.org> . ITEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996.
********************************* Peter N. Lahanas, Ph.D. Executive Director Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC) 2911 NW 40th Place Gainesville, FL 32605, USA phn: 352-367-9128 web: http://www.itec-edu.org In Panama: 011-507-6853-2134 laha...@gmail.com Bocas del Toro Biological Station Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Panama Field Station Manager, Enrique Dixon 011-507-6624-9246
