Variation and Selection in the Egyptian Origami Bird (Avis papyrus[RG1])

Introduction: to understand the concepts of this experiment we must understand the theories of evolution and natural selection. Evolution is the change in inherited traits of a population through successive generations. Natural selection is different successes in the reproduction of different phenotypes that result from the interaction of organisms with its environment. The Egyptian Origami Bird lives in arid regions of North Africa. It feeds on prom dates and drinks from Palm Springs. Only those birds which can successfully fly the long distances between the sparsely spaced oases will be able to live long enough to breed successfully. In the lab several generations were breeded to observe the effect of various genotypes on the evolutionary success of theses animals. (Variation and Selection worksheet). From this lab I hope to get a better understanding of how evolution has changed today’s world and how natural selection affects populations.

The hypothesis [RG2]for this experiment was that if the head of the bird was smaller and lighter and the tail of the bird was bigger in circumference it would help the flying of the bird.

Materials

  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Straws
  • Scissors
  • Coin
  • Six-sided die

Procedures

To start the experiment first cut two strips of paper each 3cm x 20 cm.

Label one the tail and the other head

Loop the head strip with a 1 cm overlap and tape. Repeat for the tail.

Tape each loop 3 cm from the edge of the straw.

Breed each offspring. Each Origami Bird lays a clutch of three eggs. A dimension of each chick goes as follows

a. the first egg has no mutation

b. the other two chicks have mutations (for each chick a coin is flipped and a die is thrown.

i. the coin flip determines where the mutation occurs head or tail.

ii. The die throw determines how the mutations effect the wing.

1= the wing moves 1 cm toward the end of the straw

2= the wing moves 1 cm away from the end of the straw

3= the circumference of the wing increases 2cm

4= the circumference of the wing decrease 2cm

5= the width of the wing increases 1cm

6= the width of the wing decrease 1cm

3. test birds

4. Most farthest flying bird is the sole parent of the next generation.

While the experiment is in process we were able to identify the variables. The independent variable was the adaptations due to that we where experimenting them and changing them. The dependent variable was the (survival of the fittest) this was because the fittest only survived depending on the type of adaptations there was. The collection of data occurred by recording what bird was able to fly the farthest and pass their traits on. Also by putting down the measurements on a chart and observing what was successful and what wasn’t[RG3].

Discussion Questions[RG4]

  1. Did your experiment result in better flying birds. Answer: the experiment did result in better flying birds, it helped model what natural selection truly is. Also the experiment did result in better birds due to that certain traits continued on to the next generation while other traits did not.
  2. Evolution is the result of two processes: variation and selection. A. How did our experiment produce variation among off springs? The experiment produced variation among off springs because at the at the roll of the die (certain traits came and certain left.) B. How did your experiment select offspring to breed the next generation? The experiment selected off springs to be breed by seeing which one would survive the adaptations given to them in this experiment the one that flew the farthest would be the parent of the next generations.
  3. Compare your youngest bird with your neighbor’s youngest bird. A. compare and contrast the wings of other birds with your own. B. explain why some aspects of the birds are similar C. explain why some aspects of the birds are different. Answer: when comparing the bird of Joel and Iris to Laura, Oscar, and my bird it was noticed that Joel and Iris bird’s head wing was smaller and the tail wing was the same. The inches towards the inside of the straw were the same as well.
  4. Predict the appearance of your youngest bird’s descendants if…… a. the selection conditions remain the same and the longest flying bird survives to produce the most offspring. if the conditions remain the same the youngest bird’s descendants would probably have a big circumference in the head and the tail will be more in towards the straw than the head. b. the selection conditions change the worst flying bird survives to produce the most offspring if the conditions change to it being the worst flying bird surviving the youngest descendant would probably be very big in width in both the head and tail and the wings would be very close to the edges of the straw. c. the selection conditions change and the bird whose color blends with its environment survives to produce the most off springs. This can not be predicted that much due to that their changes would depend on the environment.

2nd experiment

All procedures are the same only the adaptations has changed to being that the best survival strategy for the birds is to fly in boomerang or loop-the-loop curves.

3x22 3x20 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x22 3x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x22 3x20 head tail 2cm 4cm
3x22 3x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x20 3x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x22 3x22 head tail 2cm 4cm
3x20 3x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x20 4x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x20 3x22 head tail 4cm 4cm
3x20 4x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 2x20 4x22 head tail 3cm 4cm / 3x20 4x22 head tail 2cm 4cm

To conclude this experiment, it can be said that this experiment was more of a model for evolution and natural selection. Though it we were able to see that natural selection depends on the environment and the traits that favor that adaptation. Also that evolution does not happen in a day several generations must go by. We were able to see that as environment changed other traits favored it and that made new and better off springs also though the data we were able to see that generations only change for the best and very little depending on the circumstances.

[RG1]In this lab, notice creative way to insert data table! (Above and beyond!) Also note a clear hypothesis stated, and discussion questions included.

[RG2]Hypothesis!

[RG3]Data table!

[RG4]Questions included and answered!