Sex and the Single Guppy
*Activity adapted from http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/guppy.html
The purpose of this activity is to analyze how guppy populations change over time. The simulation activity allows you to start with a pool of guppies and your choice of predators, you will be able to watch what happens to your guppy population and how the introduction of predators can affect the guppy's appearance. The simulation will help you understand what pressures drive guppy evolution.
Open the Guppy Sex Simulator!!!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/guppy/ed_pop.html
Pre Lab
Copy the following questions into a word document and complete.
- If being flashy and colorful attracts predators, why do you think guppies are so colorful?
- After viewing the guppy gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s scientific name, origin and average size? Describe the coloration of the fish you chose.
- After viewing the predator gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s common name, scientific name, and origin?
- View the guppy’s habitats, what habitat conditions would affect the predator populations?
- Who is John Endler? What did he study and where did he study it?
- For each of the three stream areas, describe the guppy coloration:
- Pool 1:
- Pool 2:
- Pool 3:
- Develop your own hypothesis about guppy coloration. The hypothesis should answer the questions: Why do guppies in different areas of the stream have difference in coloration? (You can choose from the list on the simulation, or make up your own)
Guppy Simulation
Copy this data table in Word. When you stop the simulation and view results you will read the information and summarize the information the analysis portion of your data table.
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% of Brightest Guppies |
% of Bright Guppies |
% of Drab Guppies |
% of Drabbest Guppies |
Analysis of Results |
Trial 1 |
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Trial 2 |
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Trial 3 |
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Trial 4 |
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Trial 5 |
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Trial 6 |
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Trial 7 |
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Graph
Use the numerical data you get to create a bar graph in Excel.
Summary
Copy the following questions into a word document and complete.
- Describe how predators influence guppy coloration.
- Was your hypothesis correct, use your data to justify your answer.
- What does it mean that “male guppies live in a crossfire between their enemies and their would be mates”?
- Why do you think guppies in different areas of the stream have different coloration?
- What would happen to mostly drab guppies that were placed in a stream with very few predators?
- What would happen to brightly colored guppies that were placed in a stream with many predators?
- What is a model?
- Why do scientists use models?
- All models have limitations because they are a simplified version of the real world. What are some limitations of this guppy model? Be very specific. You will need to come up with at least 3 limitations.
*image credits
Top image: Photographer, Jdiemer public domain
Bottom image: Photographer, Rchampagne public domain
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