Anthropology 1020

ePortfolio Signature Assignment

Tawnia Page
Natural Selection Lab Report

Introduction
December 1831, the HMS Beagle departed from England on a voyage to South American. Aboard
was Charles Darwin, known as the father of evolution. Darwin was the ships naturalist and his goal
was to obtain more information about the different local habitats, collect samples, make observations,
and return to England with this newfound information. The exploration took about five year. Upon his
return, he collaborated with others and began working to validate his theories. Combining the
knowledge acquired on his exploration, his theory of evolution, and his idea of natural selection, he
published his first book The Origin of Species, where he first discussed how species changed over
time. In his study of the 14 different specimens from the Galapagos Islands, he observed that each
bird had different beak shape and sizes. He compared these differences to the birds from the mainland
of South America and concluded that the Galapagos native bird beaks varied significantly from one to
another, where as the mainland native bird beaks were closer in similarities. His theory was that their
beak adapted overtime to the food source in the different regions of islands. Over a very long period
of time, their isolation on the islands created speciation. This observation helped Darwin solidify his
idea of natural selection. To further test Darwins theory, our class conducted our own experiment to
how natural selection can occur.

Materials and Methods;

There will be 7 different beak types tested. Each beak type will be identified by a different
instrument: Tongs, chopsticks, clothes pins, large hair clip, tweezers, binder clip, and small hair clip.
Mutations were also considered and included in the test. A chip clip will be used to identify the
mutation.
In a timed test using sunflowers seeds as the only source of food available, each beak type will be
tested on its ability to pick up as much food as possible, one piece at a time. There will be 5 rounds,
30 second intervals. After each round, the number of seeds are counted, the top 3 and the bottom 3
beaks are identified. The top 3 beaks represent the birds that have favorable variations and such, will
have reproductive success. The bottom 3 have less favorable variations, consequently, will not likely
reproduce. The top 3 beak type replace the bottom three representing offspring.

Hypothesis;
Upon my initial observation of the different beak-imitated tools, I suspect that the tweezers
will be the most effective and successful and the Clothes pins will be the least successful.
The tweezers have the most adaptable utility in shape and size with the ability to pick up
the seeds with more efficiency. Whereas the clothes pins have a less adaptable shape for
picking up the seeds, thus, less success.

Results
Beginni
ng

Beak Type
Tongs
Chopsticks
Clothes pins
lg Hair Clip
Tweezers
Binder clips
Sm Hair clip
Mutation:
Chip clip

Round
1

Round
2

Round
3

Round
4

Round
5

2
5
5
5
5
5
5

2
7
3
5
6
4
5

2
6
4
4
7
3
5

2
5
4
4
8
3
5

2
5
5
4
9
2
4

1
4
6
4
10
2
4

Natrual Selection by Bird Beak

12
10
8
6
4
2
0

Beginning

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 1: Chop sticks were the most successful, Clothes pins were the least successful.
Round 2: Tweezers and Clothes pins were equally successful, Chop sticks and Binder clips were the
least. However, a mutation occurred within the Lg Hair clip beaks.
Round 3: Tweezers were the most successful, Chop sticks were the least successful
Round 4: Tweezers and Clothes pins were the most successful, Binder clips and Sm Hair clips were
the least successful
Round 5: Tweezers and Clothes pins were the most successful, Tongs and Chop sticks were the least
successful

After completing all 5 rounds, it was concluded that the tweezers were most successful thus had reproductive
success. Whereas the binder clips were the least successful therefore, by natural selection, become fewer in
numbers resulting in fewer offspring.

Conclusion

The hypothesis was both supported and falsified. The tweezers were most successful with the most
reproductive success which confirms the natural selection order. The tweezers became the fittest and
passed their favorable traits to their offspring. It was also observed, after each round, the success of
the beaks varied with increasing competition. And had to find a way to adapt to their environment.
Ultimately the binder clips had the least amount of reproductive success and through natural
selection, will not reproduce. Over time, they will eventually die off.

Discussion
The Scientific Method, is the method of gaining information to explain natural phenomena.
There are essentially 4 steps:
Step 1: Observation and Research
Step 2: Scientific Hypothesis
-Testable
-Falsifiable
Step 3: Collect Date
-Experiment
-Observation
-Analyze
Step 4: Conclusion
-Support
-Falsify
To validate the scientific method, it should be questioned and tested repeatedly.
References
Charles Darwins Finches, by Heather Scoville, Evolution Expert,
http://evolution.about.com/od/Darwin/a/Charles-Darwins-Finches.htm