Teaching Speciation Using Anole Lizards

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This playlist can be used to teach several core concepts of natural selection and speciation by connecting students to actual research on Caribbean anoles. The topics covered include adaptation, natural selection by predation, speciation, and reproductive barriers. The activities provide several opportunities for students to collect and analyze data, use DNA to construct phylogenetic trees, and conduct experiments to test hypotheses.  

By completing the resources in this playlist, students will be able to:

  • Collect data, construct graphs, and analyze data to make conclusions about the effects of natural selection in different contexts.
  • Use data to test conflicting hypotheses (convergent vs. divergent evolution) regarding patterns of species distribution.

This playlist can be used in AP/IB Biology and undergraduate college courses. Implementing this playlist should take about seven to eight 50-minute class periods.

The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Topic
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Resource Type
Videos

This film explores how anole lizards have adapted to habitats across the islands of the Caribbean. It also shows the techniques used by scientists to study these lizards.

Use segments of the film throughout the playlist to introduce or complement different activities.

  • Show 0:00–1:57 at the beginning of the first lesson to introduce the story of the anole lizards.
  • Show 3:21–6:48 after students complete Module 1 of the Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab (resource 2 in this playlist) to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of different body forms in different habitats.
  • Show 9:51–14:28 before students start the “Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny” activity (resource 4 in this playlist) to motivate a discussion on the process of speciation and the role of reproductive barriers. This segment emphasizes how microevolution (evolutionary changes within a species) can lead to the formation of new species (macroevolution).
  • Show 14:29–17:12 before students complete the “Activity for Lizards in the Evolutionary Tree” (resource 5 in this playlist).

Estimated Time: 15 minutes total for the film segments.

Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab

Topic
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Science Practices
Resource Type
Interactive Media

This interactive, modular lab explores the evolution of anole lizards in the Caribbean through data collection and analysis.

To use this resource as part of this playlist, have students complete only Modules 1 and 3 of the lab.

  • In Module 1 (Ecomorphs), students explore the role of adaptations by collecting and analyzing data about the morphology and ecological niches of anole lizards.
  • In Module 3 (Experimental Data), students perform an experiment designed to answer the question “What happens when lizards that represent one ecomorph are placed in a different habitat?” They also use statistical tools to analyze and interpret their data.

Estimated Time: Two 50-minute class periods.

Look Who's Coming for Dinner: Selection by Predation

Topic
Evolution
Science Practices
Resource Type
Activities

In this activity, students formulate and evaluate a hypothesis about the amount of time necessary for natural selection by predation.

Have students complete the entire “Student Handout.” Use the suggestions in the “Educator Materials” to implement other parts of this activity, such as the video clip, with the following adjustments:

  • Show the video from 0:00–1:34 between Part I and Part II of the activity.
  • Show the remainder of the video (1:35–end) after Part IV, question 11.

Estimated Time: One to two 50-minute class periods.

Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny

Topic
Genetics
Evolution
Science Practices
Resource Type
Activities

In this activity, students build and interpret phylogenetic trees to make a claim about how certain adaptations evolved among anole lizard populations.

Have students complete the entire “Student Document.”

Estimated Time: Two 50-minute class periods.

Activity for Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree

Topic
Anatomy & Physiology
Evolution
Resource Type
Activities

This activity guides students through concepts covered in the film The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree (resource 1 in this playlist). It can be used to probe students’ understanding of key concepts addressed in the previous resources.

Use the questions in the “Student Handout” as assessment items for the concepts addressed by the following resources:

  • Question 2: Module 1 of the Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab (resource 2 in this playlist)
  • Questions 4 and 5: Module 3 of the Lizard Evolution Virtual Lab (resource 2 in this playlist)
  • Questions 7–9: “Look Who’s Coming for Dinner: Selection by Predation” activity (resource 3 in this playlist)
  • Questions 1, 3, 6, and 10–12: “Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny” activity (resource 4 in this playlist)

Estimated Time: Two 50-minute class periods.