ANALYZING… FILE TYPE: Scientific Research PERIOD: Colony Era TOPIC: Tick Ethology SUMMARY: Dr. Tobias Luttero's early ethogram of native Tau Ceti ticks. Ethograms were used in field studies to identify animal behavior patterns. Reconstructed from automated backups after initial observation equipment (and data storage medium) were consumed by ticks. =================================================================== Revised ethogram of solitary ticks separated from nests by at least 30m. Alarm (A): tick emits a high-pitched sound to deter predation. Defensive. Approach (Ap): tick approaches rapidly in a straight line over the shortest distance possible. Aggressive. Chasing (Ch): tick pursues a moving target for at least 10m with no regard for its own survival. Aggressive. Foraging (F): tick consumes very small quantities of a novel environmental object. Tick foraging does not exhibit noticeable investigatory behavior. Edibility criteria is unknown. Retreat (R): although it is logical to infer the existence of this behavior, it has not been successfully observed in the field.[1] Roll (Rl): Tick tucks legs against abdomen and curls in like a millipede. Only observed in soft-body nymphs stranded outside a nest. Defensive. Singing (S): inaudible to the human ear but detectible by audio sensors. Tick provokes solitary ticks or nests within hearing range to chase a single target.[2] Threat Display Abdomen (Tda): Tick moves abdomen from side to side. Aggressive. Waving (W): Tick ceases movement, lifts each leg in succession, and rotates it counterclockwise. Purpose unknown. =================================================================== [1] T.L: Sudden surges in aggression require me to withdraw from visual contact before the tick. [2] T.L: Unclear why ticks do not attempt to encircle targets like ants. Possible evidence against eusociality. =================================================================== TYPE: TEXT [X]; AUDIO [ ]