Peppered Moth Interactive Game

A New Species Name:

Purpose: In this web simulation you will discover how a new species can arise from an existing species.

Materials:  Laptop computer  Pen or pencil

Procedure: 1. Get out the lap top and get on the internet and type in: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/darwin/origin/index.html 2. Read the paragraphs about the simulation and answer these questions: a. What is the name of the birds mentioned in the text? ______b. Where do the birds live? ______3. Click on “Adaptive Radiation” and write the definition here: ______4. Go back to the main page and click on “Explore what Darwin called ‘Mystery of Mysteries.’” Read the paragraphs and answer the following questions: a. How did the pollenpeepers get to the new islands? ______b. What is the “harsh reality” for the birds in the new habitat? ______5. Now click on “Explore the pollenpeeper’s new homes.” 6. On this screen there is a map with four different homes of the pollenpeepers . Make sure the little red circle on the timeline at the bottom is on “5mya” for 5 million years ago.” a. You will answer these questions for each of the four homes of the pollenpeepers. Write your answers in the table below so that they are easy to compare. 1) After the hurricane did competition increase or decrease for the birds? ______2) Was the habitat of the pollenpeepers dramatically affect by the storm? ______3) After the storm what was the most plentiful food available to the birds? ______4) After the storm what was the level of predators trying to eat the birds? ______Data Tables: Pollenpeeper’s Homes 5 million years ago. (Click on “map” in top left corner to go back to the map) Question: Mainland Windsor Island Norcross Island Warwick Archipelago 1. competition decreased 2. Habitat More vegetation 3. Available food Mostly seeds 4. Predators Low

7. Now look at the timeline at the bottom of the screen and select “4mya” describe what happened to each population by reading the boxes by each of their homes. Mainland:

Windsor Island:

Norcross Island:

Warwick Archipelago:

8. Now select “3mya” on the timeline at the bottom of the map and describe what happened to each population by reading the boxes by each of their homes. Mainland:

Windsor Island:

Norcross Island:

9. Now select “2mya” on the timeline at the bottom of the map and describe what happened to each population by reading the boxes by each of their homes. Mainland:

Windsor Island:

Norcross Island:

10.Now select “1mya” on the timeline at the bottom of the map and describe what happened to each population by reading the boxes by each of their homes. Mainland:

Windsor Island:

Norcross Island:

11.Now select “Present” and fill in the table using the questions from #6 on page 1 of this handout. You will need to click on each location’s box to get the detailed view

Pollenpeeper’s Homes Present. Question: Mainland Windsor Island Norcross Island Warwick Archipelago 1. competition Increased and shorter- wider beaks are all that is left. 2. Habitat More forest and wetlands than grasslands. 3. Available food Lots of seeds and insects 4. Predators Very Low

Questions: In the present day, click on “Warwick Archipelago” explore this screen by clicking on birds and reading the information to answer the following questions: 1. How many types of pollenpeepers live in this area?

2. List the characteristics that makes them different.

3. Looking back to 5mya all the way through the present, describe what happened to the birds on the mainland.