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Material Detail

The Insect Predation Game: Evolving Prey Defenses and Predator Responses

The Insect Predation Game: Evolving Prey Defenses and Predator Responses

In this activity, learn about predator-prey interactions by pretending to be generalist insect predators foraging for three prey species (candy). Three feeding adaptations are used (mandibles, raptorial forelegs, and unmodified legs). Students conduct several simulations, each of which lasts about a minute. After each simulation, prey reproduce and predator numbers are adjusted to reflect mortality and reproduction. One prey type becomes poisonous, and the predator-prey dynamics that result in stable populations of each predator and prey species are explored. A graphic representation of the results can be used to lead a discussion about the influence of evolutionary trade offs on ecological communities.

Keywords:
Microevolution, Life Science, Predator-prey, Prey, Evolution, NSDL, Natural Selection, Search, Predator, Capture, Adaptation, Recognition
Disciplines:
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More about this material

Material Type:
Simulation
Date Added to MERLOT:
July 27, 2016
Date Modified in MERLOT:
August 30, 2017
Author:
Submitter:
Barbra Bied Sperling
Primary Audience:
Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Technical Format:
Website
Mobile Compatibility:
Not specified at this time
Language:
English
Cost Involved:
No
Source Code Available:
No
Accessibility Information Available:
Unknown
Creative Commons:
Unknown

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