HALP! Essay topic ideas - Vert. Zoology

[Saeleofu]

I have a 12-page vert zoo paper due in a week. I'm still at a loss for a topic.

I was thinking something along the lines of the effects of photoperiod on dogs, specifically in shedding/hair growth, but I can't seem to find many sources. Most sources I'm finding are for livestock and estrus cycles

Any other ideas, or hidden pockets of fantastic sources?

THANKS!

(and 12 pages really isn't much...I wrote 8 pages for my test last week and it took less than 2 hours and I got an A and my professor told me it was "kick-ass" lol)

[Fran101]

- I've always wanted to a paper on domestication and that russian fox experiment.. but ESPECIALLY the part behind the genetics of when they transplanted friendly fox embryos into the control group (the vicious ones) and vicious ones into the friendly and the kits turned out like their genetic parents. Nature vs nurture.. I think it's such an interesting topic!

- The flop-over effect in killer whales (why their dorsal fins flop over only in captivity)

- What are the effects of hibernation (/not doing so) in animals that normally do but don't because of zoo's/their locations in tropical areas, for example

- The cell trasplant and that paralyzed dog that can now walk would be a great subject

- Do dolphins communicate in different dialects depending on location?

- The effect of music on animals (calming cows, dancing marine mammals etc..etc.)

- Dog/cat vocalization.. has it evolved to communicate with us?

Just things I'm curious about hope it helps!

[Saeleofu]

- What are the effects of hibernation (/not doing so) in animals that normally do but don't because of zoo's/their locations in tropical areas, for example

Ooooooooooooooo, we were discussing brumation, hibernation and aestivation in my herp class. That could be very interesting. Maybe discuss why asestivation in captivity has such a high fail rate?

[crazedACD]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

I was thinking something along the lines of the effects of photoperiod on dogs, specifically in shedding/hair growth, but I can't seem to find many sources. Most sources I'm finding are for livestock and estrus cycles

There should be a wealth of information for photoperiods in horses...lots of show barns keep lights on their horses to keep them from growing a fuzzy coat in the winter.

[sillysally]

I do believe that there have been studies on domestic birds, photoperiods, and the effects of artificial light in homes in bird breeding habits, hormone levels, molting, and attitude.