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Activity for Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Image of a researcher holding a lizard

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Speciation
  • Phylogeny

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Film Activities

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
32 Users
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Description

This activity explores the concepts and research on the anole lizards discussed in the short film The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree, including adaptation by natural selection, convergent evolution, and the formation of new species.

This film describes how the more than 700 islands of the Caribbean are home to about 150 species of anoles, a closely related group of lizards (genus Anolis) that occupy diverse habitats and niches. Research on these lizards is enriching our understanding of evolutionary processes and illuminating how and why there are so many different kinds of living organisms on Earth.

The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Describe and interpret phylogenetic trees.
  • Analyze, compare, and interpret data sets to formulate and support hypotheses about evolutionary mechanisms and processes.
  • Describe and contrast macroevolution and microevolution.
     

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

adaptation, convergent evolution, ecological niche, ecosystem, macroevolution, microevolution, reproductive isolation, speciation, trait

Primary Literature

Losos, Jonathan. Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2011.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 01.15.14
Date Updated 04.17.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-1, HS-LS3-2, HS-LS3-3, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-3, HS-LS4-4; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.D, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.G, EVO-1.M, EVO-1.N, EVO-1.O, EVO-3.A, EVO-3.B, EVO-3.C, EVO-3.D, EVO-3.E, EVO-3.F; SP1, SP3, SP4, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

5.1, 5.4, C.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.3, 2.6
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.E, ERT-2.H, SP2, SP4, SP5

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.1
MP2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5; DP1

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 563 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 304 KB
In-Depth Film Guide for Educators - Español (PDF) 701 KB
Student Worksheet - Español (PDF) 255 KB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Lizards

Showing of
Image from the activity
Data Points
Effects of Predation on the Niche of Lizards
Image of an anole from the activity
Phenomenal Images
The Lone Anole
Image of a lizard from the activity
Card Activities
Look Who's Coming for Dinner: Selection by Predation
A portion of the image taken from Figure 2
Data Points
Lizards in the Cold
Diagram from the paper
Phenomenal Images
Lizards in Hurricanes
Photos of four lizards taken from the interactive.
Virtual Labs
Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab
Picture of an anole
Card Activities
Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny
Image of an anole from the film.
Short Films
The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree
Computer illustration of anoles from the video
Animations
Reproductive Isolation and Speciation in Lizards
Image from the film of researcher attaching homing device to a lizard.
Scientists at Work
How Lizards Find Their Way Home

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image of an anole from the film.
Short Films
The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree
Image of a beak of a finch
Film Activities
Activity for The Beak of the Finch
Computer illustration of anoles from the video
Animations
Reproductive Isolation and Speciation in Lizards
Screen shot of the quiz
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Beak of the Finch
Photo of a finch
Short Films
The Origin of Species: The Beak of the Finch
Montage of finch pictures from the interactive
Click & Learn
Sorting Finch Species
Part of a phylogenetic tree with many branches. Some branches are black, and others are orange.
Data Points
Evolution of Ant-Mimicking Beetles
Image of an anole from the activity
Phenomenal Images
The Lone Anole
Diagram of a finch cladogram overlaying a map of the Galapagos.
Card Activities
Natural Selection and the Evolution of Darwin’s Finches
Photo of a finch's head and beak
Labs & Demos
Beaks As Tools: Selective Advantage in Changing Environments

This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

Showing of
Teaching Speciation Using Anole Lizards
5 Resources
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