Effect of Length on the Survival Rate of Woodlice Essay

Effect of Length on the Survival Rate of Woodlice - Essay Example Conspicuous variation existed in some of the traits such as weight and sprint time. The length of the woodlice was slightly similar but within the required range, the dorsal plate number was same among the woodlice. With regards to the experiment, the length was chosen as the preferred variable. The length of these woodlice was related with sprint time in the presence of spider as the predator (forceps were used as simulator). The aim was to see how the change of length can affect the survival of these woodlice and in biological perspective when related to evolution for example, the length varied or changed in order for these woodlice to be able to evade there predators. The design of this experiment was to see how the woodlice with different lengths could respond to the spider which was the predator. The experiment hypothesis was, the higher the woodlouse length the higher the possibility that it will die. Hence the null hypothesis was, woodlice are not able to respond to predators. Method In the experiment, the basis on how to control a woodlice population was fundamental. With regards to this, forty woodlice were put on a tray with soil. Then the spider as the predator was included on the tray. The forceps were used to simulate the spider. After all these were set, it was left for some time to enable the woodlice to interact with the spiders. Later after sometime, observations were made on the tray; the number of dead and survived woodlice was recorded with their corresponding length. Woodlice were first killed in order to obtain their length. 20 individuals of the woodlice population were measured without performing any replications, and were taken as an experimental control. The other 20 was measured as well. Basically, these processes... In the experiment, the basis on how to control a woodlice population was fundamental. With regards to this, forty woodlice were put on a tray with soil. Then the spider as the predator was included on the tray. The forceps were used to simulate the spider. After all these were set, it was left for some time to enable the woodlice to interact with the spiders. Later after sometime, observations were made on the tray; the number of dead and survived woodlice was recorded with their corresponding length. Woodlice were first killed in order to obtain their length. 20 individuals of the woodlice population were measured without performing any replications, and were taken as an experimental control. The other 20 was measured as well. Basically, these processes were done in order to ascertain whether the length has a significant effect to the survival. The experiment was ran alongside the control, whereby the forceps were used as a simulator to the spider. The control results indicated free ly that almost 100% of the woodlice never died. Therefore the experiment was valid at 95% confident. ResultsBasing on the 20 samples selected randomly from the population, the average values of the four traits was calculated and recorded as shown in the table 1.The standard deviation which indicated the amount of variation among the proportions was also calculated. Besides standard error was as well calculated to determine the accuracy related to average values that represent the whole population.