Speciation

What would happen if a species within a population were suddenly split into 2 groups by an earthquake that creates a physical barrier like a canyon?

Purpose

This lab is designed to explain how a species of lizards changes through speciation.

Introduction

Speciation occurs when there is a population of a species and there is a natural disturbance such as a flood moves a species from one area to another such as a main land to an island and the species adapts and changes creating a new kind of lizard. In my case study, this is exactly what happened. After the flood it was noted that a large amount of debris was washed onto an island and in this debris there was a hollow tree, this tree contained red lizards from the mainland. On this island, there were none of these species of red lizards. The lizards began to breed but due to the difference in food (local bugs), the babies were all orange soon the red lizards were all picked off because of their color standing out do to the lack of red vegetation. The orange lizards began to interbreed causing a mutation in color this mutated lizard was tan and they would only breed with other tan lizards because the tan lizards were better camouflaged. The tan lizard found life easier because they could blend in with the sand on the beach while having the best selection of food so the orange lizards' population dwindled down leaving the tan ones who had created a new species from the old due to an environmental change that required a new camouflage color to survive. (Audesirk, T., Audesirk, G., & Byers, B. E., 2008) (Climate Change and Speciation of Mammals, n.d.)

Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome

Natural disasters cause a separation of a species, causing speciation.

Methods

After the flood, it was noted that a large amount of debris was washed onto an island, and the red lizards were noted to now be on the island where no such lizard had lived before. It was then decided that documentation would be necessary to see if the lizards would survive and adapt to the new ecosystem. As time passed it was noted that the red lizards were only producing orange young it was supposed that it was due to a change in the diet. This change continued and as the orange population grew the red faded away. The orange lizards then began to breed and in this interbreeding there came a new lizard one that was tan in color and was better color adapted to the sandy environment. This tan lizard only would breed with other tan lizards and was noted to kill orange lizards if threatened. It was then decided that the formation of the tan lizard had created a new species. (Audesirk, T., Audesirk, G., & Byers, B. E., 2008)

Discussion/Analysis

The number was as suspected that through a change in an environment, the lizard would change eventually becoming a new species. Through steady evaluation of the colors and population, we could see the change from one species (Red) to other (Tan) ultimately leaving only tan lizards and no red ones.

This is a process that takes hundreds if not thousands of years and does not occur overnight or in a few short months or years.

It is an important process that helps the species to adapt and survive in its new environment due to a change or move. Without a change in coloration due to the new surroundings, its camouflage defense would be useless against predators.