Example animal and insect biology dissertation topic 4:

Mental time travel in domestic pets: Diminished or extended through domestication?

The ability of domesticated animals to develop foresight may be diminished as a result of the caring environment in which they live. This dissertation examines whether ‘mental time travel’ – episodic memory – in cats and dogs has been blunted through their long-standing involvement with humans. It explores the basis of phenomena such as the dog that waits at the gate for its owner at 6pm each evening, anticipating his regular return, or the cat that catches a particular series of buses, knowing that eventually the cat will be returned to the bus stop nearest its home. This study has implications for the evolutionary development of animals that live in close proximity to other animals with high levels of mental time travel, and considers the effects that this has on the future survival of such animals, with or without the continued presence of humans.

Example animal and insect biology dissertation topic 5:

Predation challenges to pigeon racing: North East England

The sport of pigeon racing is popular in England and recent changes in the level of raptors have created challenges for the sport. This study examines the effect of higher numbers of sparrowhawks, goshawks, and peregrines in the north east of England upon pigeon racing. It undertakes a survey of number of these specified raptors across five common routes for pigeon racing, and determines the level to which attacks have affected numbers of pigeons returning. The dissertation further considers deterrents that may be undertaken beyond the pigeon loft that diminish the level of predation by raptors on racing pigeons, including alternate routes less likely to incur high rates of raptor presence.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Dixon, A. (2002) Attacks by birds of prey on racing pigeons: A report for the Confederation of Long Distance Racing Pigeon Unions of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Lancaster: University of Lancaster.
• Hinsley, S.A. and Redpath, S. (1996) Impacts of raptor predation on red grouse, homing pigeons and songbirds in Britain. Unpublished report to JNCC/SOAEFD.
• UK Raptor Working Group (2000) Report of the UK Raptor Working Group. Peterborough: Joint Nature Conservation Committee.