Pauline Van Laere

LIEN ENTRE ATTITUDES ET SOUTIEN POUR LA PROTECTION ANIMALE : INFLUENCE DU RAPPORT A LA NATURE ET DES VARIABLES PSYCHO-SOCIALES

En cours

> Mémoire bibliographique préliminaire:

Méthodes d'étude de la cognition spatiale,
Janvier 2010
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METHODS FOR DEMONSTRATING SPATIAL COGNITION

Spatial cognition permits animals to organize their behaviors around a certain number of functional places (nest, foraging area…) among which they must move as the least expensive energy. One can approach the study of these capabilities at different points of view: that causes proximal seeking what spatial information is used, how it is used, by which brain structures; and the ultimate causes focusing on the evolution of these abilities among different species. For these studies different methods can be used, best known are mazes, which are used with rodents. However, there are modifications of such devices or methods adapted to specific characteristics of other species. Each of these devices has advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before the experiment and to be taken into account when analyzing results. New devices for assessing spatial cognition must be developed to further our knowledge on the functioning and development of these skills.


> Stage au laboratoire:

Mémoire et apprentissage spatial chez la drosophile,
De février à juillet 2010
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SPATIAL LEARNING IN DROSOPHILA

Acquisition of information is essential in the context of spatial orientation. In fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), there is a natural polymorphism in the for gene influencing exploratory behavior during foraging. In this study, we investigated whether this gene influence spatial learning abilities. We also examined the role of visual cues in learning. We therefore accommodated the Morris water maze’s principle to Drosophila. Our results show that spatial learning abilities are related to the production of protein kinase (PKG) encoded by the for gene. We can’t conclude about the use of visual cues for learning. It would be interesting to investigate whether differences are due to the use of different search strategies. In addition, a study on other species would indicate whether the for gene, present in many taxa, retains its role in the food-related behaviors.

> Stage au laboratoire:

Utilisation de l’information sociale et choix du partenaire chez la Drosophile,
De avril à mai 2009
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USE OF SOCIAL INFORMATION IN MATE CHOICE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

When individuals make a choice, particularly in the context of reproduction, they may use any information that could help them making the best decision, such as social information. Social information is the information obtained by direct observation of interaction between individuals. In this study, we investigated whether female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are able to use social information in mate choice, and if they take the risk of sperm depletion into account. In a mate-preference experiment, we manipulated male mating history, allowing the females to collect (or not) social information. Our results show that females are able to use social information to avoid male that have already copulated. Copulation with a sperm-depleted male is costly for female which cannot remate immediately. Thus, females appear to be able to assess and integrate information on male quality in order to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

> Mémoire bibliographique:

Evolution du comportement d'écholocation
Juin 2008
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EVOLUTION OF ECHOLOCATION BEHAVIOR

Echolocation is a system allowing location in space that only appeared few times during evolution, whereas the production routes and the nervous system of bats don’t seem very different from those of other mammals. The echolocation behavior seems to provide an adaptive advantage for bats, allowing them to adapt to ecological niches underutilized. We are interested in the emergence of this behavior by examining the various theories on the evolution of echolocation and flight. Recent discoveries in molecular phylogeny have changed our vision of the evolution in bats’ echolocation. This phylogeny suggests that some bats with a sophisticated echolocation system have a common ancestor with the bats do not practice echolocation. It seems however difficult to know which of the various theories, with benefits and problems, is more realistic. The very recent discovery of a pair of fossils almost complete and well preserved of the oldest known bats (Onychonycteris finney) sheds light on this issue. The bats have probably developed flight before echolocation.


> Stage volontaire au Muséum:

Suivi des populations de chauves-souris dans Paris,
De fin juin à début septembre 2008
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MONITORING OF BATS' POPULATION

I managed a team of twenty volunteers to collect and identify sound records of bats. This team work was established to gather geographical information relative to studied sites. Part of my work consisted in writing a synthesis of the results, which allowed us to obtain a funding grant from the city of Paris to continue this monitoring program. I also participated in evenings of catching and counting individuals at night at different sites in the provinces.

> Stage volontaire au laboratoire:

Motivation sexuelle et effet de l'octopamine chez le Bourdon,
En septembre 2007
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EFFECT OF OCTOPAMINE ON REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF BUMBLEBEES

One knew the role of social regulator of octopamine and its involvement in reproduction in female bumblebees. In this work, we became interested in the influence of octopamine on the sexual behaviour of males. We showed that octopamine increased the motivation of males to mate.