PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (12 POINTS)

Female bean beetles oviposition choices influence the survival and success of their offspring. Consequently, the particular conditions in the environment in which they oviposit may be critical. Before lab, you should design an experiment to explore female bean beetle oviposition behavior. During lab, each member of your group will present their experimental design. As a group, you will evaluate the merits and pitfalls involved with each plan in order to agree upon a common experimental approach to carry out. You may find it helpful to read in your textbook about why habitat selection is important, and what factors affect habitat selection (Campbell & Reece, Biology, Chapter 52.2). In order to prepare you to conduct your own experiments, please complete the following assignment in your lab notebook before lab this week: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Describe one question and an experimental design for exploring female bean beetle oviposition behavior. (2 pt) Formulate hypotheses for the experiment. (2 pt) Identify the variables involved in the experiment. (2 pt) Describe the data you would collect to evaluate your hypotheses. (2 pt) Create a table to record this data. (2 pt) Describe how you would analyze and interpret your data. (2 pt)

When designing your experiments, it will be helpful to consider that the following tools and equipment will be available to you in class: live bean beetle cultures containing newly emerged adults, both female and male, that were raised on mung or adzuki beans dissecting microscopes and magnifying glasses petri dishes to hold beetle cultures, for picking adult females from cultures, and for setting up experiments mung beans, Vigna radiata, (16 ounces) dried beans, organically grown adzuki beans, Vigna angularis, (16 ounces) dried beans, organically grown small paint brushes forceps timers or stopwatches marking pens

Come to class prepared to present your proposed experiment to your group.

Bean Beetles Pre-lab Rubric Component Describe a question and experimental design to explore female bean beetle oviposition behavior. Formulate hypotheses for the experiment. Needs improvement (0 pt) No experimental design is described. Progressing (1 pt) One of the following is missing: a question or an experimental design. Meets expectations (2 pt) A question and an experimental design are described.

Identify the variables involved in the experiment. Describe the data you would collect to evaluate your hypotheses. Create a table to record this data.

Contains one problem: no hypotheses are described; or hypotheses do not express claims that can be evaluated through experimentation. No variables are identified.

Contains one problem: only a null or only an alternative hypotheseis is described.

Null and alternative hypotheses are both described. Hypotheses clearly express claims to be evaluated through the experiment. Variables listed are scientifically appropriate given experimental design and hypothesis. An explanation linking the evidence required to evaluate the hypothesis is provided. Table is clearly labeled and is appropriate for data type.

No data is listed.

Describe how you would analyze and interpret your data.

Contains one problem: no table is provided; or table is neither clearly labeled nor appropriate for data type. There is no description of (statistical) data analysis or interpretation.

Variables are not scientifically appropriate given experimental design & hypothesis. Data lacks an explanation connecting its interpretation to evaluation of hypothesis. Table is either: not clearly labeled or is not appropriate for the data type. Either: the proposed (statistical) analysis is inappropriate for the data type; or data interpretation doesnt include how the data will be evaluated to determine whether the hypothesis is supported.

The proposed (statistical) analysis is appropriate for the data type. Data interpretation description includes how the data will be evaluated to determine whether the hypothesis is supported.