Download Evolution final project

Evolution Final Project
Your task is to create/discover a new species in the environment of your choosing. You are an archaeologist
who has made a groundbreaking discovery of never seen before fossils. You need to convince your town of
non-biologists that you have discovered a new species using scientific knowledge and evidence. The
challenge involves dealing with current lineages of species and your newly discovered fossils to
demonstrate the evolutionary process that culminated in your unique species. You will create a poster
containing detailed diagrams of the evolutionary process via natural selection in order to convince the
townspeople this speciation event has indeed occurred.
Your project /poster needs to include:
1. A picture of your species with a unique name and shown in its natural environment.
2. 5 adaptations that specialize this animal for its ecological niche. Be CREATIVE.
3. 5 types of natural selection that acted on the INDIVIDUAL TRAITS (Directional selection,
stabilizing selection, disruptive selection) Must use at least 2 different types.
4. Show divergent evolution using a phylogenetic tree (cladogram) that includes at least 5 ancestors
and the shared derived characteristics.
5. 2 pieces of evidence for this evolutionary process (homologous/vestigial, embryological,
biochemical, fossils)
6. Speciation event (Allopatric speciation, sympatric speciation, which isolating mechanism? –
behavioral, temporal, geographical)
7. A comprehensive description on your poster of your understanding for how the new species
evolved via natural selection. 5-7 sentences. No more. No less. (Must include overproduction,
genetic variation, struggle for existence and adaptation)
8. Turn in fact sheet (information sheet) with poster = 15 participation points
Met all of the
requirements
Adaptation 1 with
type of selection
Adaptation 2 with
type of selection
Adaptation 3 with
type of selection
Adaptation 4 with
type of selection
Adaptation 5 with
type of selection
Phylogenetic Tree
Evidence
Population Event
Explanation of
Natural Selection
Picture with
environment
Organization/Clarity
TOTAL: 60
4
Met most of
the
requirements
3
Met some of
the
requirements
2
Missing most
of the
requirements
1
Missing all of
the
requirements
0
4
3
2
1
0
4
3
2
1
0
4
3
2
1
0
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
10
7-8
4
3
4
5-6
3
2
3
3-4
2
1
2
1-2
0-1
0
0-1
0
5
4
3
2
0-1
8
4
3
2
0-1
What full credit looks like:
Adaptations: Drawn, labeled and briefly described on the poster in terms of how it benefits the organism
reproductively.
Types of Selection: Includes a small diagram/graph of the type of selection next to the trait with a brief clear
and accurate description. More than 1 type is included.
Phylogenetic Tree: Includes a cladogram illustrating the organism’s history of descendants (at least 5) with
shared derived characteristics listed on the phylogenetic tree. Look at examples to help you.
Evidence: Includes but not limited to picture of similar embryo of related species, picture/diagram of vestigial
or homologous structures from related species, drawn fossils. Organized.
Explanation of Natural Selection: Includes discussion of over-production, genetic variation (WHY is there
genetic variation), struggle for existence, and adaptation with specific details of how natural selection resulted
in YOUR species.
Population Event: Diagram of allopatric or sympatric speciation (whichever you chose), brief explanation and
diagram/picture of the isolating mechanisms leading to speciation.
Picture: Hand drawn or personally created on the computer with adaptations labeled. Animal is drawn in its
natural habitat.
Organization/Clarity: The different sections of the assignment are neatly divided on the poster. It is easy to
follow, clearly written with no grammatical errors, colored, and looks as though time and effort were put into
this.
What I DON’T want to see:
 My organism developed long claws because he had to dig in the ground to get his food
 My organism grew a long neck because it had to reach the trees to eat
 My organism needed bright colors to warn away predators so they all became bright
 Directional selection acted on my organism so they were all large
 Stabilizing selection acted on my organism so they all had medium colored shells.
Thing to think about and INCLUDE:




Overpopulation
How did diversity arise in your population? WHY was each organism a little different?
Adaptations are only structures that help the organism REPRODUCE or live long enough to REPRODUCE
Natural selection is the mechanism by which evolution occurred and resulted in your species.
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