Natural Selection

https://labaids.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sgi-sims/
sepup_natural_selection/index.html

In this simulation you will investigate populations of birds living on an

island. You will begin by selecting three birds that will represent
phenotypes for several traits in one population that lives in the southwest
portion of the island. You will explore how this population changes over
time in the southwest. Then you will explore how the population evolves
over long time periods in various environments on other areas on the island.

Step 1:
Design the BIRD PHENOTYPES
Choose plumage, body size, and beak traits for each bird.
• In this activity, you will design 3 differnet birds with different features (traits) that you
think might be helpful for their survival. Experiment with bird size, bird color and beak
size. Record your observations.

Step 2:
• You have selected three phenotypes for birds that are representative
of the large range of phenotypes that could be present in the
population of birds. Of those that you selected, how fit do
you think each phenotype is in the current
environment? Record your ideas on the Student Sheet.

Step 3:
• You will observe how phenotypes and number of birds
change in the three populations as thousands of years pass.

When prompted to do so, discuss with your group your

ideas and record them on the Student Sheet.
• Record your observation after 50,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 100,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
 • Record your observation after 200,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 250,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 300,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 350,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 400,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
• Record your observation after 500,000 years have passed. Which species have increased
in number? Which species have decreased in number? Justify your observation.
Time Which species increased in Which species decreased in
number? Why? number? Why?
50,000 years
100,000 years
200,000 years
250,000 years
300,000 years
350,000 years
400,000 years
500,000 years

Step 4:
With your group, discuss how the bird populations changed over the course of 500,000 years.
Were your ideas about the fitness of each phenotype you selected correct? Explain why or why
not.

Step 5:
Compare how your bird populations changed with the bird populations of another group of
students.

Record the similarities and differences you notice.