# 🐜 PhD: Behavioral, Physiological, and Transcriptomic Variation Among Colonies of *Pogonomyrmex barbatus*

**Daniel Ari Friedman** (2019) · *Stanford University*

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## Abstract

> This dissertation examines the physiological and transcriptomic variations among colonies of the red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) and their association with collective behaviors. It highlights the neurophysiological basis of behavioral differences and explores how these variations impact foraging strategies and reproductive success.

## Keywords

`PhD dissertation` · `Pogonomyrmex barbatus` · `collective behavior` · `transcriptomics` · `behavioral ecology` · `foraging gene` · `dopamine` · `colony variation` · `Stanford University`

## Key Contributions

- Investigated the neurophysiological basis of behavioral variation among ant colonies.
- Demonstrated the impact of dopamine levels on foraging activity in red harvester ants.
- Explored the relationship between colony foraging behavior and reproductive success.
- Analyzed gene expression variation in relation to colony traits using RNA-seq.

## Methods

- Conducted transcriptomic profiling of forager brains to assess gene expression differences.
- Performed pharmacological experiments to evaluate the effects of dopamine on foraging behavior.
- Executed manipulative field experiments to study foraging trips in relation to hydration levels.
- Utilized RNA-seq to analyze gene expression variation within and among colonies.

## 🎯 Consulting & Tutoring

**Available for AI Research Consulting and Tutoring.** [Contact Daniel Ari Friedman, PhD](https://danielarifriedman.com/) for collaboration on Active Inference, Bayesian modeling, and computational biology.

## Citation

```bibtex
@article{2019_PhDDissertation,
  author = {Daniel Ari Friedman},
  title = {{PhD: Behavioral, Physiological, and Transcriptomic Variation Among Colonies of *Pogonomyrmex barbatus*}},
  journal = {Stanford University},
  year = {2019},
}
```

## File Inventory

- `AGENTS.md` (2,125 bytes)
- `2019_PhDDissertation.pdf` (316,589 bytes)
- `README.md` (1,824 bytes)
- `SKILL.md` (1,951 bytes)