radeen wrote stuff

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+The question of how antlion spatial patterns, such as pit depth, width,

+and nearest neighbor, as well as group behavior vary with respect to

+spatial constraints and interruptions in possible communication pathways

+was examined through the procedure. The objective of the research was to

+expand upon the established conclusion from the previous years

+experiment, which determined that antlions space themselves in a

+hexagonal pattern and maintain a constant ration between all pits to

+reduce intraspecies competition. In order to test the natural hexagonal

+dispersion pattern of the antlions the follow up study aimed to identify

+the method of organization of the organisms, as the previous years study

+clearly illustrated that the organisms had a standard distribution

+pattern, and thereby some means of communicating or understanding

+spatial information in order to achieve that pattern. In order to

+develop a conclusion regarding the method of communication three initial

+hypothesis were made and it was determined that the antlions

+communicated through the use of making trail in the sand, which allowed

+them to mathematically determine a settling position, or that the

+antlions used obstacles and pits as regulatory mechanisms, or finally

+that antlions had no means of communication, but rather their

+cannibalistic nature determined the settlement pattern observed. With

+this in mind a procedure was drafted that contained three distinct

+trials, one where antlion trails were removed, one where fake pits were

+introduced, and one where obstacles were introduced into the

+environment. With this procedure  several similar ``cooperative''

+behaviors to prior studies were observed, with the antlions remaining

+under the soil when the surface was overpopulated (demonstrable by a

+significantly lower number of pits forming in smaller trials). Along

+with this the antlions seemed to be most disrupted by the introduction

+of fake pits, as during these trials the averager pit depth, pit width,

+and nearest neighbor calculation changed significantly, thereby

+indicating that antlions use the presence of pits around them to

+mathematically determine where they need to settle on an instinctual

+level.

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+To design the experiment and understand the organisms' underlying
+behaviors that might affect it, extensive background research was
+required---specifically on the spatial distribution patterns of
+antlions. First, a previous study analyzing the spatial patterning and
+structure of termite mounds in an African savanna was examined to better
+understand the procedure of the experiment. This study examined how
+different termite colonies in the African savanna positioned themselves
+in relation to one another and uncovered that termite mounds maintain
+relatively constant distance from one another, creating uniform hexagons
+of termite mounds through the savannah.  Furthermore, this study
+uncovered that termite mounds must maintain a constant distance from
+each other to prevent conflict between termite colonies, limiting the
+species' success. These results helped guide and shape the study that
+was conducted by providing insight into the possible intraspecies
+competition that could result from close antlion contact, leading to the
+prediction that antlions would have to space themselves in order to
+prevent competition for food.  Lastly, this study determined that a
+change in available space could affect the spatial patterns of termites
+as well as their behavior, which was later used in designing the
+conducted experiment.
+
+Next, several studies regarding the anatomy and behavior of antlions
+were used in order to better understand the insects. These studies
+determined that antlions stay in their larva form, in which they make
+pits, for 6-8 weeks and develop slower when exposed to less food. This
+helped determine the timeline of the experiment and determine the
+intervals at which the antlions would be fed, as in order to keep
+results consistent the antlions would have to be the same throughout the
+course of the experiment, which would require the participating antlions
+to be fed less in order to stay in their larva stage to make pits.
+Furthermore, these studies examined terms such as pit depth and width as
+well as the feeding patterns and behaviors of antlions, which became
+crucial areas of study throughout the experiment, as these studies
+determined that pit depth and width can signify the dominance and
+success of antlion settlement. This helped determine dependent variables
+to examine over the course of the study.  Finally, these studies
+determined that antlions have a tendency to cannibalize each other in
+times of food shortage and significant competition. This provided
+another dependent variable to track over time and examine as size
+decreased, as cannibalized antlions were unsuccessfully metabolized and
+evident in pits.
+
+Next, a series of studies about antlion dispersal pattern called the
+``Doughnut theory'' were examined to better understand the current
+scientific knowledge surrounding antlion dispersal patterns.  These
+papers determined that antlions naturally position themselves in a
+``doughnut,'' in which a ring of antlions circle a center point or food
+source to limit competition for ants, as each antlion has equal access
+to the food source. This study also concluded that when antlions are
+introduced one by one the same results occur, which confirmed that the
+procedure could introduce one antlion at a time without interfering with
+results and spatial patterns, helping further perfect and standardize
+the procedure, as well as provide a better understanding of antlions
+behavior patterns. These studies provided a better understanding of
+antlion settlement patterns and gave a guideline for what to expect as
+trials continued. Finally, these studies provided scientific procedures
+that could be tested and confirmed throughout the experiment, allowing
+for a source to cross-check results and procedures in order to perfect
+the procedure of the experiment.
+
+        Finally, in order to effectively conduct a follow up 
+examination of the nations spatial patterns and distributions the 
+previous years research and results was thoroughly examined. This 
+examination helped provide information on the most effective procedure, 
+materials, and dependent variables to measure, as the previous years 
+notes were used to improve upon the preexisting examination process. 
+Along with this the examination of the previous years teachers clearly 
+illustrated that the rate of cannibalism and the average pit depth and 
+width were correlated with the size of the enclosure of the antlions, 
+as the rate of cannibalism increased as the enclosure decreased in size 
+while the pit depth and width decreased as the enclosure decreased in 
+size. This distinction helped illustrate the natural patterns of the 
+organisms and allowed for the clear development of a follow up 
+experiment, as the examination of the initial trial developed a clear 
+natural pattern that could be examined through the introduction of 
+other various environmental stimuli. Based on this analysis, the 
+emergent property of the antlions distribution was clearly to arrange 
+themselves in an organized fashion however the antlions lacked a known 
+effective mode of communication, as prior research revealed that insect 
+larvae lack secretion glands for communication and proper vocal 
+anatomy. The lack of a mode of communication but the presence of a 
+clear spatial pattern lead to the development of the question of how 
+the organisms were able to arrange themselves in such an intricate 
+pattern, and prompted the follow up study to examine how the organisms 
+were able to distribute in such an organized fashion by either 
+identifying a mode of communication or determining that the 
+distribution was due to simple mathematics.