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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)
  1. Erickson, C; Wright, MK; C, P; Simons, ; E, , "Mother-Infant Interation in the Aye-Aye", Daubentonia Madagascariensis (2003).
  2. Erickson, C; Dirga, E; Grassi, C, "Strategic Tap-Scanning Behavior in the Aye-Aye", Daubentonia Madagascariensis (2003).
  3. 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].
  4. 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].
  5. 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.

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