Microbes and Animal Behavior

Bella Microbio 238 2020

Introduction

By [Bella Stevens]
Animal behavior can be influenced by many factors, making it an interesting yet complex field. From environmental interactions to genetics, there are many ways to look at a certain behavior. How do microbes, particularly bacteria, play a role? Can these microscopic organisms that live inside animals affect who these animals mate with or even how they communicate with conspecifics? Experiments have used genetics, such as rRNA analysis, to study the make-up of symbiotic microbial communities to further understand a certain behavior, like finding another piece to the puzzle. Because animal behavior covers a wide range of topics, from mating to communication, there are possibly many ways microbes, especially symbiotic microbes, could affect behavior in a variety of animals from hyenas to squids, and even humans. How microbes affect and interact with animals can give us insight into our own relationship with microbial organisms and help us understand our own behavior.

Section 1

Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.

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Section 2

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Section 3

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References

Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2018, Kenyon College.