Bones to Behavior: Undergraduate Research in the Lab and At the Zoo

3 units

We will undertake zooarchaeological study of equid skeletons in the zooarchaeology laboratory at Washington University, and in collaboration with the St. Louis Zoo, participate in a behavioral study of the courtship and breeding behavior of the ancestor of the domestic donkey, the African wild ass. The research questions that we focus on are how the biology and behavior of the African wild ass influenced the domestication of the donkey by prehistoric African herders or ancient Egyptians and how the behavior of the African wild ass continues to affect prospects for conservation of this highly endangered animal. During the first half of the semester, we will meet once a week for 2.5 hours in the zooarchaeology laboratory on Mondays from 9 - 11:30 a.m. After spring break, or earlier if weather is above 40F, we will no longer meet in the lab, and each student willspend 9-11 a.m. on two mornings of their choice per week at the St. Louis Zoo conducting observations of the wild ass. Students may choose two days that fit their schedule. Saturdays or Sundays are included as a possible choice of days. Permission of instructor is required.