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 analyze data to test the h
...
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 analyze 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
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