The Study of Kinesis in Pill Bugs

A Study of Kinesis in Pill Bugs

Under Different Light Conditions

Ashley de Jesus

General Biology II Thurs. 10:30 am

Ama Owasu-Darko

Abstract:

Six different pill bugs were separated into two sample groups of three. The two samples were both placed under three different light conditions (normal, red, and green), and were observed for the differences in kinesis. The main goal was to compare the pill bugs’ rate of kinesis in response to the several environmental stimuli. Each sample was observed for three dependent variables: number of turns, rate of locomotion, and number of pill bugs actually moving. Each variable was observed for 3 minutes and results were recorded. One of the pill bugs from sample B died during the experiment. However, using the data we were able to record, it showed that the pill bugs were more active under the normal light, which based on our hypothesis would be because of its familiarity and the pill bug’s inability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar environments.

Introduction:

The study of animal behavior in the context of evolution, ecology, and the sensory abilities of the animal is called ethology (Morgan, p. 677). In this experiment, Armadillidium vulgare or the pill bug, a crustacean in the order Isopoda, will be observed on its orientation behavior through kinesis. Kinesis is a type of behavior that is undirected, random movement. In this type of movement, the stimulus does not orient the movement, but the intensity of the stimulus, however, determines the rate or velocity of the random movement (Morgan, p. 678). It is hypothesized that the pill bug will have higher rates of movement under the normal lighting due to its familiarity. It the hypothesis is correct, then that ultimately means that the rate of kinesis of the pill bug is easily altered by the intensity of lighting in its environment.

Methods and Materials:

In this experiment, six pill bugs were split into two different petri dishes with three of them in each one....