Guppy Simulation

1. If being flashy and colorful attracts predators, why do you think guppies are so colorful? I think that guppies can be colorful to attract mates. Or the color could fool the predators into thinking the guppy is poisonous.

2. 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. The color of the guppy I found the most interesting was the poecilia reticulata. The average size is 1.4" It originated from Brazil. It has a green tail, red dorsal fin, and yellow spots.

3. After viewing the predator gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s common name, scientific name, and origin? The fish I found most interesting was the fat sleeper. Its scientific name is dormitator maculatus. It originated in southern North America, The Bahamas, and Latin America

4. View the guppy’s habitats, what habitat conditions would affect the predator populations? Nearby dams or other things to restrict predatory movement.

Endler’s Discovery and Variations of Guppy’s in Pools

5. Who is John Endler? What did he study and where did he study it?
John Endler was an evolutionary scientist who studied Trinidad's wild guppy population.

6. For each of the three stream areas, describe the guppy coloration:

Pool 1: Brightly multicoloured with large spots

Pool 2: Medium coloration on body and tail with medium sized spots.

Pool 3: Drab coloration, very small spots concentrated near tail.


7. 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) Predators prey on the most brightly colored guppies

Guppy Simulation

	% of Brightest Guppies (10 generations)	% of Bright Guppies (10 generations)	% of Drab Guppies (10 generations)	% of DrabbestGuppies (10 generations)
Trial 1 Guppy: Even Mix Predators: 30 Rivulus	84%	7%	4%	5%
Trial 2 Guppy: Even Mix Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara	0%	60%	40%	0%
Trial 3 Guppy: Even Mix Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara, 30 Cichlid	0%	0%	2%	98%
Trial 4 Guppy: Mostly Bright Predators: 30 Rivulus	3%	16%	22%	59%
Trial 5 Guppy: Mostly Drab Predators: 30 Rivulus, 30 Acara, 30 Cichlid	0%	2%	3%	95%

Summary
8. Describe how predators influence guppy coloration.
It seems that the predators eat the brightest/ bright guppies


9. Was your hypothesis correct, use your data to justify your answer.
Yes. The brightest ones were all eaten in every trial but trial 1.


10. What does it mean that “male guppies live in a crossfire between their enemies and their would be mates”?
It means that the flashy guppies are great for attracting mates, but they are also great at attracting predators (dun dun dun dun duuuuuuuuunnnnnnnn)

11. Why do you think guppies in different areas of the stream have different coloration?
I think it all has to do with the conditions of the habitat and the predators that live there.

12. What would happen to mostly drab guppies that were placed in a stream with very few predators?
I think that they would flourish.
13. What would happen to brightly colored guppies that were placed in a stream with many predators?

Biodiversity

What are ways in which preserving biodiversity locally might have a global effect?
1. There are many ways to preserve biological diversity locally while still having a global effect. For example, simply helping to protect a nature preserve or working to help save endangered species through a local program are all ways that could be used that help out on a global scale.
How do habitat destruction and loss of species effect more than just one area?
2. If certain species are lost, it may become a threat to the entire global industry. Also, if we hunt certain animals and they are unable to provide food or set other animals, it may completely throw off the whole food chain. For example, people have hunted sharks, who are at the top of their food chain. Without a sufficient amount of sharks, the balance that nature took centuries to build is being offset.
How does preserving biodiversity enhance the life of people?
3. There are tropical cone snails that contain toxins that scientist have tested and believe can be used for new types of drugs. only about 100 of an estimated 50,000 toxins have been tested, but the results have been promising for the development of powerful drugs that currently do not exist. however, if we keep destroying the shallow tropical habitats of the snails. The snails are often sold for the shells of the snails. Millions of these shells are sold yearly, however, no country monitors the trade of these shells. There is no country who sees the potential that these small animals have for advancement of medication.