Research Interests for Carl J. Erickson
Research Interests: Animal Behavior
The aye-aye is one of the world's most endangered animals Its unusual foraging behavior presents a provocative challenge to those interested in the evolution, development and sensory-motor coordination of complex behavior as well as to those concerned wi th the captive breeding of endangered species. The aye-aye hunts for woodboring insect larvae by tapping its middle finger on the surface of dead trees. When a cavity is detected, it uses its razor-sharp incisors to gnaw away the wood. Our studies have focused on the aye-aye's capacity to form representations of the subsurface cavities and to exploit them most efficiently. Because of our successful breeding program, Duke has the largest colony of captive-bred aye-ayes in the world. This program has allowed us a unique opportunity to study the early development of the aye-aye's complex behavior patterns. Ultimately, this research is critical to the reintroduction of this species to protected areas of Madagascar.
- Keywords:
- Animals, Animals, Zoo, Ants, Aye-aye, Biological Evolution, Birds, Castration, Chromatography, Gel, Estradiol, Feeding Behavior, Female, Insects, Larva, Lemur, Male, Nesting Behavior, Predatory Behavior, Radioimmunoassay, Social Isolation, Testosterone, Tritium
- Recent Publications
(search)
- Erickson, C; Wright, MK; C, P; Simons, ; E, , "Mother-Infant Interation in the Aye-Aye",
Daubentonia Madagascariensis
(2003).
- Erickson, C; Dirga, E; Grassi, C, "Strategic Tap-Scanning Behavior in the Aye-Aye",
Daubentonia Madagascariensis
(2003).
- Erickson, CJ, Cues for prey location by aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis),
Folia Primatologica, vol. 69 no. SUPPL. 1
(January, 1998),
pp. 35-40, S. Karger AG [Gateway.cgi], [doi].
- Erickson, CJ; Nowicki, S; Dollar, L; Goehring, N, Percussive foraging: Stimuli for prey location by aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis),
International Journal of Primatology, vol. 19 no. 1
(January, 1998),
pp. 111-122 [doi] [abs].
- Erickson, C; Nowicki, S; Dollar, L; Goehring, N, Percussive Foraging: Stimuli for Prey Location by Aye-Ayes,
(Daubentonia madagascariensis) International Journal of Primatology, vol. 19
(1998),
pp. 111-122.