Biology > QUESTIONS & ANSWERS > 3. NicheMetabarcoding_Worksheet1 Virginia State University BIOL 324 (All)

3. NicheMetabarcoding_Worksheet1 Virginia State University BIOL 324

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Niche Partitioning and DNA Metabarcoding OVERVIEW This worksheet complements the Niche Partitioning and DNA Metabarcoding Click & Learn. PROCEDURE In the Click & Learn, you will collect and analyz... e data to test the hypothesis that herbivore species can coexist in the same habitat because they partition their niches in some way. Follow the instructions in the worksheet to guide you through the Click & Learn and answer the questions below as you progress through different sections. INTRODUCTION: STUDYING NICHE PARTITIONING 1. Based on previous knowledge, how would you define biodiversity? 2. Why should people be interested in maintaining biodiversity? Watch Dr. Rob Pringle’s video at the beginning of the Click & Learn. Using the arrows to the right of the screen, continue through the background information about Mpala Research Center. 3. How does niche partitioning relate to biodiversity? 4. Why does the presence of 22 large herbivore species at Mpala seem to contradict the competitive exclusion principle Dr. Pringle described in his introduction? 5. Examine the four species of herbivores you will be observing in this Click & Learn. List some similarities and differences between them. 6. All of these species are herbivores and share the same habitat. Coexistence, however, can occur when animals partition their niches in one or more important ways. When it comes to foraging for food, name three ways in which these herbivores may partition their niches. Niche Partitioning and DNA Metabarcoding Ecology Published January 2018 www.BioInteractive.org Page 2 of 4 Click & Learn Student Worksheet Module 1: Collecting Evidence for Herbivore Niche Partitioning Proceed through Module 1, including the review questions at the end. After completing Module 1, answer the questions below. 7. Did you find evidence to support the hypothesis that the four herbivore species partition their niches? 8. What is the most likely niche partitioning mechanism for the four Mpala herbivores? Support your claim with evidence. 9. The data for time and vegetation was presented in two formats: Tally marks Percentages Which format provided a more useful representation of the data from which to make a claim? Explain your reasoning. Module 2: A More Detailed Look into Dietary Partitioning In science, research typically leads to more questions, and more research. Sometimes, the new questions can only be answered once new methods and technologies for collecting and analyzing data become available. 10. What technology did you use to make your observations in Module 1? What were two limitations of the technology? Start working through Module 2, where you will collect dung, identify plant species using DNA barcoding, and analyze the results in several ways. 11. In your own words, describe how DNA m [Show More]

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