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Experimental Report for EvolutionLab
Instructions
Darwin proposed that for a trait to evolve through natural selection, three conditions were necessary:
1. the trait must affect survivorship and/or reproduction (fitness),
2. there must be variation among individuals for the trait, and
3. the variation in the trait must be heritable.
In EvolutionLab, beak size is a trait that affects survival. Birds with small beaks are more efficient at utilizing small soft seeds whereas birds with large beaks are better at utilizing large hard seeds. Therefore, when more small seeds available, birds with small beaks have a higher rate of survival than birds with large beaks. Conversely, when more large seeds available, birds with large beaks have a higher rate of survival than birds with small beaks. Thus, beak size satisfies the first condition listed above. In EvolutionLab we can control for the variation in beak size and the heritability of beak size. This allows us to experimentally test Darwin’s second and third points listed above.
In this assignment, we want you to design and carry out experiments to test points 2 and 3 listed above. In your experiments, be sure to include a control (no effect) and a treatment (effect is present). You can use one of the islands for a control group and the other island as a treatment group. The inputs for variability and heritability are the two factors to be investigated. Vary only one factor at a time so that you can more easily interpret your results. You can vary other factors, such as precipitation, but you should use the same values for the control and treatment groups for any single experiment.
Use the template below to complete your report.
Your Name:
Your CIN:
Introduction
Describe below what it is you are investigating. Clearly state the hypotheses you are testing. Remember that hypotheses are statements, not questions. (This section should be four or five sentences in length.)
Type your text here.
Instructions
Darwin proposed that for a trait to evolve through natural selection, three conditions were necessary:
1. the trait must affect survivorship and/or reproduction (fitness),
2. there must be variation among individuals for the trait, and
3. the variation in the trait must be heritable.
In EvolutionLab, beak size is a trait that affects survival. Birds with small beaks are more efficient at utilizing small soft seeds whereas birds with large beaks are better at utilizing large hard seeds. Therefore, when more small seeds available, birds with small beaks have a higher rate of survival than birds with large beaks. Conversely, when more large seeds available, birds with large beaks have a higher rate of survival than birds with small beaks. Thus, beak size satisfies the first condition listed above. In EvolutionLab we can control for the variation in beak size and the heritability of beak size. This allows us to experimentally test Darwin’s second and third points listed above.
In this assignment, we want you to design and carry out experiments to test points 2 and 3 listed above. In your experiments, be sure to include a control (no effect) and a treatment (effect is present). You can use one of the islands for a control group and the other island as a treatment group. The inputs for variability and heritability are the two factors to be investigated. Vary only one factor at a time so that you can more easily interpret your results. You can vary other factors, such as precipitation, but you should use the same values for the control and treatment groups for any single experiment.
Use the template below to complete your report.
Your Name:
Your CIN:
Introduction
Describe below what it is you are investigating. Clearly state the hypotheses you are testing. Remember that hypotheses are statements, not questions. (This section should be four or five sentences in length.)
Type your text here.