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Assignment: SCIE211 Phase 2 Lab Report
Title: Speciation
Instructions: You will need to write a 1-page lab report using the scientific method to answer the following question:
· What would happen if a species within a population were suddenly split into 2 groups by an earthquake that creates a physical barrier like a canyon?
When your lab report is complete, post it in Submitted Assignment files.
Part I: Use the animated time progression of speciation to help you write up your lab report.
We are required to consider what may happen to a species if it is subdivided into two divisions/groups by a physical obstacle/barrier such as canyon animals from the two subdivisions would not mate any more with each other. One of the two groups remain on main land while the other on isolated island. Both subdivisions by natural circumstances such us weather. They should learn how to adapt to their situations and surroundings. They usually adapt and also evolve. Two new species are created as a result and this is known as speciation.
Part II: Write a 1-page lab report using the following scientific method sections:
· Purpose
The main purpose of the lab is determining what will happen to species if divided into two subdivisions as a result of some disasters.
· Introduction
At the start of the lab I see that I am to observe a group of the same species living in the same geographic area. There is an earthquake which results in a canyon that divides the specie s into 2 separate groups. Over a course of many years both groups of this species will evolve, but differently from one another, thus creating 2 new species.
· Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome
My assumptions is that the species on the two sides would adapt to the surroundings and they mate. However, due to the changes the species undergo in order to adapt, it would reveal a new species all together. For instance, if a species was subdivided into 2 groups and then one group of the species go to a place where weather is warm and getting drink and food was easy to get, then adapting would be comfortable and easier. The species would not undergo a lot of changes. If the other species goes to a place where food is scarce, there is harsh weather and plenty of water, the species must learn and also readjust and hence and hence adapting to the surrounding ad changing as growth takes place in the species. The off springs would obviously reveal the new kind of this specific species.
· Methods
The method I used was observation. Notes were taken at three points after observing the two groups. During the first separation, portion of the mainland population reaches the isolated island. The isolated populations then start diverging as a result of natural selection and genetic drift.
· Results/Outcome
At the speciation point, divergence may be enough to lead to a reproductive isolation and where these two groups evolve in different ways and new species are created. This takes place when the members of a species are made to adapt forcefully to the natural circumstances and other surroundings.
· Discussion/Analysis
From the look of things, both subdivisions were challenged by weather and other natural situations. However, both groups evolved and new species revealed which led to speciation. I came to understand that when species are subdivided into two subdivisions/groups and these groups evolve and more species are created and this is called Cladogenesis. I also came to learn that speciation has two main components. These are genetic isolation and diversification. The two primary types of Cladogenesis are sympatric and allopatric speciation. Sympatric speciation takes place when a species splits or divide into two groups which diversify and then become isolated genetically but remains in the same place. Allopatric speciation takes place when a species is divided or separated into two subdivisions by physical barrier mostly by a geological event, climate change or other changes in the environment that are human induced.
