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diff --git a/src/abstr2.i b/src/abstr2.i new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a97083 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/abstr2.i @@ -0,0 +1,33 @@ +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.
diff --git a/src/research2.i b/src/research2.i new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8a1bf0 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/research2.i @@ -0,0 +1,87 @@ +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. |