History and Evolution of Life – Project 1: Pattern and Process in Evolution
History and Evolution of Life – Project 1: Pattern and Process in Evolution.
This is the first of two class projects you will complete in this course. This can be completed on your own, or in groups of up to 4 people (it will be easier as a group!). You will prepare a written report, in paragraph format, addressing the presented questions. Essays should be 3-5 pages, single spaced, including properly formatted citations.
Essays will be graded based on how well the below questions have been answered, as well as writing style (clear, well-reasoned) and proper use of citations. Hypotheses will not be graded based on whether or not they are “right”, but whether then are well-considered. This is an exercise in considering the evolutionary process, not presenting a grant proposal. We’ll be discussing your findings as a class on the due date, which is Oct. 22, in lab. This project has three goals:
1) To demonstrate the importance of phenotypic variability as the ‘ingredients’ of evolution. What does evolution work on at a microevolutionary level? 2) To focus on the importance of primitive and derived traits in an evolutionary context. How can we tell that evolution has occurred within a particular group of organisms? 3) To examine patterns of speciation in the evolutionary record. What does evolution look like from a macroevolutionary perspective? **This project is based around the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street), however you may use a different museum if you have a preference. AMNH has a $18 suggested donation for students with ID, but tickets are available via a “pay what you wish” system, meaning you can participate for free if money is limiting. ** 1) Phenotypic variability Suggested locations: Hall of Biodiversity or Hall of Ocean Life. Find examples of a species with multiple specimens (preserved, fossilized, etc.). Record what the species are. For some displays, you may have to use the interactive displays to identify the species. For an example, look for Helix polymita in the Mollusca display. 1. Choose any three of the multiple-specimen species that look interesting to you, and describe the variability that exists within each species. 2. What might account for the broad range of phenotypes that occur within each species? Speculate as to what selective factors may be at work here; generate specific hypotheses and predictions. How could we test these hypotheses? What are challenges to testing these hypotheses.
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