Non COES Majors

Project Summary

Like humans, other primates, including spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), show handedness biases. However, evidence is mixed on whether spider monkeys exhibit a species-level bias. Spider monkeys are also unique in that they also have a prehensile tail that functions as a fifth limb with remarkable fine motor control. An open question is whether hand preferences in spider monkeys relate to how they use their tails, which may also show side biases. Such patterns could reflect behavioral lateralization. We explored whether hand and tail side preferences align, suggesting individual- or species-level lateralization.

Project Objective

To investigate whether spider monkeys exhibit lateralization by examining potential side preferences in both hand and tail use, and to determine whether these preferences align at the individual or species level.

Other Information

Non-COES Major

Acknowledgement

Thank you to the Brevard Zoo for permission to study their animals, and Lauren Lewis & Vanessa Lawton for contributing to data collection.

Project Summary

Cockroaches are among the most widespread animal groups, yet little is known about their behavioral ecology. This study examined substrate preference in Blaberus discoidalis, a burrowing species commonly found in leaf litter, to determine whether preferences are fixed or shaped by rearing history. Forty-eight cockroaches, raised in pine bedding, coconut fiber, or without substrate, were tested in either an arena or T-maze. No significant differences were found based on rearing condition or testing environment, but subjects showed a strong overall preference for pine bedding over coconut fiber. This preference appears to reflect a species-level bias toward substrates structurally similar to natural habitats, rather than learned associations or olfactory cues. These findings suggest a potential fixed preference influence by evolutionary adaptation, though future research should explore how environmental variable such as humidity may affect substrate choice. Such insights can improve laboratory husbandry practices and contribute to a deeper understanding of habitat selection in invertebrates.

Project Summary

This project examined whether aversive childhood experiences (ACEs) and current stressful events predicted greater psychological distress underlying mental health concerns in college students. The study utilized survey data from 766 Florida Tech students enrolled from 2016 to 2025. Findings showed that both cumulative ACEs and stressful life events predicted greater psychological distress. Additionally, a mediation analysis provided support for the proposed secondary adversities hypothesis, suggesting that college students with more exposure to childhood adversities continue to experience more stressful life events, which elevate their levels of psychological distress and put them at increased risk for mental health concerns.