Drab Guppies Lab Report

The data in both sets seem to support the hypothesis that when the number and type of predators is increased, the guppies become more drab. Instead of just testing the bright guppies with these variables, drab guppies were tested as well to insure accurate representation. The first trials data were consistent with the hypothesis, the percentage of bright guppies stayed stayed about the same when the amount of predators was low. In trial two more predators was introduced therefore the percentage of bright guppies decreased dramatically. In fact, none of the brightest variety of guppy survived the trial. The bright guppies’ prominent colors attracted more predators while the drab guppies weren’t as detectable. The drab guppies were able to reproduce

When a small amount of predators were introduced, bright guppies appeared to be doing quite well and represented a large portion of the population. When more predators were introduced to a mostly drab guppy population only the drabbest guppies survived. The drab guppies represented the smallest percentage, the reason for this could’ve been that they bright enough to draw some attention to themselves, but not bright enough to attract more mates. The bright guppies were able to survive because their colors made them attractive to mates therefore they reproduced more often.

The data collect from this lab supports my hypothesis that when the number of predators increase the number of drab guppies goes up. At the beginning of this experiment, I believed that bright guppies would reproduce more, but would also attract more predators. In both sets of trials this was found to be the case. Trial one began with a

First of all, we are human and could’ve incorrectly inputted data into our tables. Although we tried our best to record everything as accurately as possible it always feasible that we could’ve recorded something wrong. Another error is that we never tested our hypothesis on an even mix of bright and drab guppies, the data could be totally different than what we collected. We also never had a trial with thirty Rivulus and thirty Acara which might have also given us a different result. One major area where this lab could be inaccurate is that it’s a simulation. None of the data you collect is real, only what the computer was told to give you. In some ways this eliminates many errors that would have taken place with real guppies. A computer simulation means that there is only one outcome, only one conclusion that you are supposed to make. In real life there are an infinite number of factors that could’ve changed the lab and proved my hypothesis wrong. In real life I would’ve been able to choose the environment that my guppies were living in. I think a way this simulation could improve is a way to change your guppies location to see how that affects predation patterns and sexual selection. If I were to redo this simulation I would do more trials and have the trials go on for a longer time so that I could be sure that my hypothesis was