Speciation Is the Natural Change in a Species Behavior - Lab Report Example

The following lab report methodically accounts for the series of events following the sudden split of a species of lizards into two groups by a hurricane resulting in the isolation of a small group of individuals on an island far from the mainland.

Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome
Ecological conditions result in the natural selection of coloration in visits while geographic separation leads to speciation.

Methods
Using MuseLAB, a log will represent the hurricane and separate six red lizards from the main group present on the mainland. Afterward, the log shifted toward an island distant from the mainland and represented by a wet patch of grass and undergrowth. This shift was another six red lizards to the wet patch of grass and undergrowth. The MuseLAB software will animate the changes in the colors of the two isolated populations as they differentiate in line with the conditions of the new surroundings. Animations of the different colors of both groups of lizards should account for a physical trait capable of being passed down to the next generations.

Discussion/Analysis
The six red lizards use this body color to mimic a different species of extremely poisonous lizards within the same ecosystem. The hurricane did not separate these two spaces thereby allowing the offspring to maintain the red color three generations down the line. In contrast, the brown lizards adopted a green body color to achieve optimal camouflage in a surrounding with thick green vegetation and foliage. Read More