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Effects of Predation on the Niche of Lizards

Topic
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Science Practices
  • Graph Interpretation
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Data Points
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
8 Users
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Description

This activity guides the analysis of a published scientific figure from a study that investigated how a new predator affected the behavior of Bahaman anoles.

Between April 1996 and April 1997, a large lizard called Leiocephalus carinatus colonized a small island in the Bahamas. L. carinatus preys on smaller lizards, including the island’s native anole species Anolis sagrei. Because L. carinatus hunts for prey on the ground, A. sagrei can avoid this predator by perching on the branches of trees or shrubs. The figure shows the average perch height and perch diameter of A. sagrei before and after the colonization of L. carinatus. The “Educator Materials” document includes a captioned figure, background information, graph interpretation, and discussion questions. The “Student Handout” includes a captioned figure and background information.

Student Learning Targets
  • Analyze and interpret data from a scientific figure. 
  • Examine the impacts of an introduced or invasive species on other species in an ecosystem.
Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

adaptation, anole, behavioral trait, colonization, introduced species, line graph, predator avoidance

Primary Literature

Schoener, Thomas W., David A. Spiller, and Jonathan Losos. “Predation on a common Anolis lizard: can the food-web effects of a devastating predator be reversed?” Ecological Monographs 73, 3 (2002): 383–407. https://doi.org/10.2307/3100096.

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 02.29.16
Date Updated 02.29.16
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-6; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-3.D, IST-5.A, ENE-4.B, SYI-2.A; SP1, SP4

IB Biology (2016)

A.6, C.1

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C, III.A

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7
Math.S-ID.3, Math.S-IC.1; MP2, MP5

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials
Image (JPG) 141 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 1 MB
Student Handout (PDF) 777 KB

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