ASAB Important Information for Presenters

Abstract tips

Talks will be selected based on the submitted abstract, which should be clear and concise (200 words maximum) and consist of:

Brief background
A clear question / aim
Brief methodology
Overall results
Conclusions / significance.

An example of a model abstract (from our own Kirsty MacLeod) is given below:

Differential use of microhabitats (such as substrate type) can confer or facilitate increased ability to evade or escape predators, and catch prey, for example by influencing sprint speed and noise produced by movement. However, the importance of auditory crypsis and locomotor performance for microhabitat selection has been historically under‐studied, especially when compared to the importance of facilitating visual crypsis. Here we investigate the influence of substrate types on sprint performance and level of noise produced by movement in fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus). In our study sites, fence lizards inhabit mixed woodland where deciduous and coniferous trees exist at approximately equal frequency. We show a strong bias in tree use, with lizards being found more frequently on deciduous trees. Using acoustic and video recordings of lizards moving on trees of both types, we demonstrate that lizards sprint faster and their movement appears to generate less noise on deciduous trees. These data suggest that lizards use substrates on which they are more likely to evade auditory detection and can sprint quickly to refuge or capture prey. We conclude that factors other than visual camouflage may be important in determining substrate use and should also be considered in studies of microhabitat selection.

Please note that while we have limited space for talks all rejected talk submissions will be offered a poster slot.

Talks

Talks should be 10-12 minutes long with 2 minutes for questions and discussion afterwards.
Presentation slides should be saved in PowerPoint (.ppt) or PDF (.pdf) format on a flash drive which you should bring on the day. The presentation will be on a Windows computer.

Flash talks

Flash talks should be 2 minutes long. Questions will be asked at the end of the session. Presentation slides should be saved in PowerPoint (.ppt) or PDF (.pdf) format on a flash drive which you should bring on the day. The presentation will be on a Windows computer.