Carl J. Erickson | Scholars@Duke

Carl J. Erickson
Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences

The aye-aye is one of the world's most endangered animals Its unusual foraging behavior presents a provocative challenge to those interested in the evolution, development and sensory-motor coordination of complex behavior as well as to those concerned wi th the captive breeding of endangered species. The aye-aye hunts for woodboring insect larvae by tapping its middle finger on the surface of dead trees. When a cavity is detected, it uses its razor-sharp incisors to gnaw away the wood. Our studies have focused on the aye-aye's capacity to form representations of the subsurface cavities and to exploit them most efficiently. Because of our successful breeding program, Duke has the largest colony of captive-bred aye-ayes in the world. This program has allowed us a unique opportunity to study the early development of the aye-aye's complex behavior patterns. Ultimately, this research is critical to the reintroduction of this species to protected areas of Madagascar.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2004

Contact Information

242 Soc Psych, Durham, NC 27708
Box 90086, Durham, NC 27708-0086
cerick@duke.edu (919) 660-5673

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Rutgers University 1965
Duke Appointment History
- Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1976 - 2004
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1970 - 1976
- Assistant Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1966 - 1970
Expertise
Global Scholarship
- Research
  - Madagascar (Country)
Research
Selected Grants
- Social Interaction and the Induction of Testicular Activity awarded by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 1988 - 1989
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Erickson, C., E. Dirga, and C. Grassi. “"Strategic Tap-Scanning Behavior in the Aye-Aye" (In preparation).” Daubentonia Madagascariensis, 2003.
  - Erickson, C., M. K. Wright, P. C, P. Simons, and P. E. “"Mother-Infant Interation in the Aye-Aye" (In preparation).” Daubentonia Madagascariensis, 2003.
  - Erickson, C. J. “Cues for prey location by aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis).” Folia Primatologica 69, no. SUPPL. 1 (January 1, 1998): 35–40. https://doi.org/10.1159/000052697.
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  - Erickson, C. J., S. Nowicki, L. Dollar, and N. Goehring. “Percussive foraging: Stimuli for prey location by aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis).” International Journal of Primatology 19, no. 1 (January 1, 1998): 111–22. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020363128240.
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  - Erickson, C. “Cues for Prey Location by Aye-Aye.” Daubentonia Madagascariensis, Folia Pimatologica 69 (suppl) (1998): 35–40.
  - Erickson, C., S. Nowicki, L. Dollar, and N. Goehring. “Percussive Foraging: Stimuli for Prey Location by Aye-Ayes.” (Daubentonia Madagascariensis) International Journal of Primatology 19 (1998): 111–22.
  - Erickson, C. J. “Sociopathy and sociobiology: Biological units and behavioral units.” Behavioral and Brain Sciences 18, no. 3 (January 1, 1995): 555.
  - Erickson, C. “Feeding site features of the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis.” American Journal of Primatology 35 (1995): 235–40.
  - Erickson, C. “Sociopathy and sociobiology: Biological units and behavioral units. A commentary on L. Mealey's "The Sociobiology of Sociopathy: An Integrated Evolutionary Model".” Behavioral and Brain Sciences 18 (1995): 555–56.
  - Erickson, C. J. “Tap-scanning and extractive foraging in aye-ayes, Daubentonia madagascariensis.” Folia Primatologica; International Journal of Primatology 62, no. 1–3 (January 1994): 125–35. https://doi.org/10.1159/000156769.
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  - Erickson, C. J. “Percussive foraging in the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis.” Animal Behaviour 41, no. 5 (January 1, 1991): 793–801. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80346-X.
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  - Milliden, G., J. Ward, and C. J. Erickson. “Independent digit control in foraging by the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis).” Folia Primatologica 52 (1991): 109–23.
  - Erickson, C. J., and M. E. Reid. “Wingclapping behavior in Calopteryx maculata (P. De Beauvois) (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae).” Odonatologica 18 (1989): 380–83.
  - Erickson, C. “Interactions between the dragonfly, Hagenius brevistylus, and the damselfy, Calopteryx maculata.” Notulae Ondonatologicae, 1989.
  - Allen, T. O., and C. J. Erickson. “Social aspects of the termination of incubation behaviour in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria).” Animal Behaviour 30, no. 2 (January 1, 1982): 345–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(82)80045-6.
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  - Lumpkin, S., K. Kessel, P. G. Zenone, and C. J. Erickson. “Proximity between the sexes in ring doves: Social bonds or surveillance?” Animal Behaviour 30, no. 2 (January 1, 1982): 506–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(82)80063-8.
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  - Zenone, Patricia G., M Eleanor Sims, and Carl J. Erickson. “Male Ring Dove Behavior and the Defense of Genetic Paternity.” The American Naturalist 114, no. 5 (November 1979): 615–26. https://doi.org/10.1086/283511.
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  - Erickson, C. J., and P. G. Zenone. “Aggressive courtship as a means of avoiding cuckoldry.” Animal Behaviour 26, no. PART 1 (January 1, 1978): 307–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(78)90036-2.
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  - Erickson, C. J., and J. B. Hutchison. “Induction of nesting behaviour in male barbary doves by intracerebral androgen.” Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 50 (1977): 9–16.
  - Cooper, R. L., and C. J. Erickson. “Effects of septal lesions on the courtship behavior of male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).” Hormones and Behavior 7, no. 4 (December 1976): 441–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/0018-506x(76)90015-5.
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  - Erickson, C. J., and P. G. Zenone. “Courtship differences in male ring doves: avoidance of cuckoldry?” Science (New York, N.Y.) 192, no. 4246 (June 1976): 1353–54. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.192.4246.1353.
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  - Korenbrot, C. C., D. W. Schomberg, and C. J. Erickson. “Radioimmunoassay of plasma estradiol during the breeding cycle of ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).” Endocrinology 94, no. 4 (April 1974): 1126–32. https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-94-4-1126.
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  - Erickson, C. “Progressive changes in the social behavior of ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) exposed to familiar and unfamiliar breeding partners.” The Auk 90 (1973): 780–95.
  - Lambe, D. R., and C. J. Erickson. “Ovarian activity of female ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) exposed to marginal stimuli from males.” Physiological Psychology 1, no. 3 (January 1, 1973): 281–83. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326923.
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  - Martinez-Vargas, M. C., and C. J. Erickson. “Some social and hormonal determinants of nest-building behaviour in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria).” Behaviour 45, no. 1 (January 1973): 12–37. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853974x00570.
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  - Erickson, C. J., and R. L. Morris. “Effects of mate familiarity on the courtship and reproductive success of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria).” Animal Behaviour 20, no. 2 (May 1972): 341–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-3472(72)80056-3.
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  - Erickson, C. “Induction of female ovarian activity by androgen treatment of male mates.” Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 71 (1970): 210–15.
  - Erickson, C. J., R. H. Bruder, B. R. Komisaruk, and D. S. Lehman. “Selective inhibition by progesterone of androgen-induced behavior in male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).” Endocrinology 81 (1967): 39–44.
  - Erickson, C. J., and D. S. Lehrman. “Effect of castration of male ring dove upon ovarian activity of females.” Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 58 (1964): 164–66.

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

Global Scholarship

Research

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles