Climate Change and Natural Selection
One of the first genetic adaptations to global warming has been identified in the North American mosquito Wyeomyia smithii. Modern mosquitoes wait nine days more than their ancestors did 30 years ago before they begin their winter dormancy, with warmer autumns being the most likely cause. Higher temperatures have led to enhanced mosquito survival rates, increased population growth and higher biting rates. The result? Increased risk of disease transmission is one consequence. In this exploration, your team is challenged to take a closer look at Darwin's grand idea of evolution by natural selection in the context of climate change.
BASIC
Can you find another (or other) claim(s) of animal adaptation that has resulted from the recent observed changes in climate? Are there creatures within your own region of the world that have been affected? Perform a web search and see what you can find. You can start here. While investigating this topic, remember to keep the following questions in mind:
- What is the nature of the resource(s) you are using? Are you reading someone's blog, a science reporter's story or a refereed science journal? How reputable is your source?
- Pay close attention to the kind of scientific evidence that is used to support the example of animal adaptation. How does the researcher know what he/she claims? How does he/she know that the observed adaptation was the result of a genetic change and not the result of a specie's plasticity? What was the experimental approach used?
- Do you think that the observed genetic adaptation to climate change will be problematic for the species? For humans? For other animal species?
- If the references you are using don't provide the level of information that you are looking for, what can you do to obtain additional information or to clarify the available information?
- If you are unclear about something, it's OK. Tell us about the questions/issues that this inquiry raised in your own mind. What didn't make sense?
That is, the information has been reviewed by a peer scientist before publication.
Document your findings in your eFolio and tell us whether you think the example you found is truly an example of genetic adaptation. Base your argument on the available scientific evidence!
The capacity of organisms with the same genetic makeup to vary in developmental pattern, in appearance, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions.
GRAB YOUR POINTS!
1. Log into eFolio. The link below will place your work into the eFolio and give you the Mini Survey.
GOING BEYOND
In this level, you have the opportunity to see natural selection in action and the power to influence it! Check out the Evolution Lab. This basic, but enlightening, model looks at evolutionary change due to genetic mutations in a fictitious animal specie called simply "the blue organism". Play with the model and make sure you understand how it works and what the input parameters mean. Complete the questions under "Further Experiments to Try" found at the end of the lab. As always, be sure to document your answers (along with the questions!) in your e-Folio.
GRAB YOUR POINTS!
1. Log into eFolio. The link below will place your work into the eFolio and give you the Mini Survey.
GOING CRAZY
In the previous lab, you considered a case of natural selection in which the specie was subjected to only one type of ecological selective pressure (that is, the ability of the blue organism to capture prey in its environment). In this next lab on evolution, an investigation of male guppy coloration, you are going to explore other types of selective pressures. Read about Sex and the Single Guppy. Copy the Flashy Fish Data Form into your e-Folio and fill it out. This experiment uses a computer model to simulate field conditions you specify to explore your hypothesis concerning observed distributions in male guppy coloration. After you complete the investigation, be sure to answer the Flashy Fish Discussion Questions.
GRAB YOUR POINTS!
1. Log into eFolio. The link below will place your work into the eFolio and give you the Mini Survey.
If You Need Help
If you have specific questions about this exploration, please contact your STEM Mentor. If that doesn't resolve your questions, email Susan Hull Grasso. Or "Skype" her:
Chat with Susan Hull Grasso, GCA Director of Curriculum Development