Darwins Beak Experiment

Toni Ford
Salt Lake Community College
Anthropology 1020

Introduction:
A great scientist by the name of Charles Darwin traveled to the
Galapagos Islands where he studied approximately 15 different species of
birds all in which varied in size. The very most important differences in these
birds were their beaks size and shape. According to Wikipedia it was in 1839
that Darwin conceived the theory of natural selection, and that in 1845
Darwin brought together this theory (Wikipedia).
During a scientific study scientists collected birds and measured their bite
force. Among the different sizes of beak dimension, depth, width and shape
were all significant predictors of bite force. Among the various head
dimensions width was the best predictor of bite force.
Long-term field studies have proved strong evidence that beak morphology
has evolved quickly and precisely in response to changing ecological
conditions, such as food type, availability of food, and competition (Herrel)
Scientists today report that in comparison with most previous research on
Darwins finches, what is notable about their findings is the demonstration
that selection trends can differ substantially within the same species over
relatively limited geographical distances within a single island. In the study,
these observed selection trends are in turn closely tied to pre-existing clinal
differences, which they reinforced. In addition, Kleindorfer (2006) found that
beak length was greater among highland than lowland birds, consistent with
the significant clinal trend for beak shape documented in 2005. Hence
salient features of the clinal trends found in 2005 were also present in the
small ground finch population on Santa Cruz during a continuous 5-year
period (Sulloway and S. Kleindorfer).

Hypothesis:
I believed that the larger hairclips in the beak experiment would be
most successful in picking up the seeds.

Rational:

My reasoning was that the larger hairclips were bigger in size and
would be more efficient in gathering the seeds, also they seemed more
sturdy and easy to work with.

Materials and Methods:

In the experiment several different tools were used to model the
different types of beaks, they were

Tongs
Chopsticks
Clothes pins
Large hair clips
Tweezers
Binder clips
Small hair clips
Chip clips (used later as a mutation)

Sunflower seeds were used for the birds food, and cups were used to
represent the birds stomach.
A chart is necessary for recording the data found, list all the different types
of beaks. On the chart it should also include the beginning round (where all
beaks begin) and have 5 rounds listed after. Everyone should be placed in a
group to start, the groups will be representing a population of birds (3-4
people in each group). Each group and member will use a tool and forge for
the seeds while being timed for 60 seconds. Only one seed at a time should
be picked up and placed into the cup. The 3 people who got the least
amount of seeds stands up and moves to one corner of the room and the top
3 who got the most also go stand. From there each population loses and or
gains. For Example: the tweezers gained another tweezer while the clothes
pin loses a clothes pin. During the experiment each person should track the
gains and losses of each population and figure out the loss or gains in
percentages. During the experiment you should also be able to recognize
the meaning of natural selection and how it works.

Beak model efficiency in percents

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Beg

The results of the experiment is that the tweezer population was most
successful. Its population grew by 3% each round. The least successful
population was the binder clips declining by 3% each round. During the
experiment a mutation occurred, creating a chip clip in which wasnt
successful in recreating another.

Conclusion:
My initial thought in how the experiment would turn out was rejected. I
believe the reasoning is because I didnt take into account the many different
varying factors involved, such as competitiveness, endurance, and hand
strength in opening and closing of the beaks. Some beaks caused the hand
to weaken overtime as well as become fatigued. I also didnt take into
account the slits that were in the hair clips where the food could fall through.
The beaks that were more easily used were the ones who became more
successful.

Discussion:
The scientific method includes research where a problem is identified,
data that is relevant is then gathered a hypothesis is formed from the data,
and then tested. There are many different fields that use the scientific
method. One of them is Psychology, psychologists use the method to
observe, describe and explain human behavior. Some of the other fields
include astrology, engineering, sociology, pharmaceuticals, etc.
In learning the scientific method I see how it relates to the Darwin beak
activity. I used the scientific method to create an idea, the idea was tested
amongst a group of peers and I was able to find out whether my theory was
right or wrong. I also learned why it was wrong and created reasoning.
This activity supported natural selection by showing some underlying
assumptions such as variability, inheritance, competition and different
reproductive success. The ones most favorable will increase by population,
and that was truly supported in this experiment.

References
Harrell, A., et al. "Bite Performance and Morphology in a Population of
Darwin's Finches:
Implications for the Evolution of Beak
Shape." Functional Ecology 2005: 43. JSTOR Journals. Web. 6 Feb. 2015.
Sulloway, Frank J., and Sonia Kleindorfer. "Adaptive Divergence In Darwin's
Small Ground Finch ( Geospiza Fuliginosa): Divergent Selection Along A
Cline." Biological Journal Of The Linnean Society 110.1 (2013): 4559. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2015.