One might ask if one set of features favorable in one environment might prove unfavorable in another environment. Once you have formed a conclusion to this hypothesis and how it relates to the adaptations of camouflage and protective coloration, you will apply this information to the peppered moths of Manchester, England. You will predict the direction of an adaptive shift and the resulting gene frequencies. In this experimental model, the features studied will be the adaptations of camouflage and protective coloration in two very different environments. You will act as the predator and your prey will be two types of paper circles, one with a plain color and the other with a printed pattern.
Procedure Work with a partner.
One of you must always be the predator while the other will supervise the experiment so as not to introduce an uncontrolled variable. Also, the experimenter will time each trial and record the data. The predator calls out his total. On the next trial, the predator attempts to spot and count just the printed circles for 10 seconds. These trials are each repeated two more times and then the environmental background will be changed to a printed pattern.