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Diffstat (limited to 'data')
| -rw-r--r-- | data/biblio.tex | 19 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | data/conclusion.tex | 8 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | data/hypothesis.tex | 8 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | data/methods.tex | 26 | ||||
| l--------- | data/research.tex | 1 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | data/vars.tex | 3 |
6 files changed, 65 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/data/biblio.tex b/data/biblio.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f672fb --- /dev/null +++ b/data/biblio.tex @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ +\parindent=0pt +\baselineskip=24pt +\hangindent=.5in + +\centerline{Works Cited} +{\everypar{\hangindent=.5in\hangafter=-1} +\parskip=\baselineskip +Muvengwi, J., Davies, A. B., Parrini, F., \& Witkowski, E. T. F. (2018). Geology drives the spatial patterning and structure of termite mounds in an African savanna. Ecosphere, 9(3), e02148. \link{https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2148} + +Bowen*, T., Cabello*, G., Gidden*, T., Schlueter, M., \& Cain, P. (2019). BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS INFLUENCING ANTLION PIT PLACEMENT **. Georgia Journal of Science, 77(1). Retrieved from \link{https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol77/iss1/72} + +Barkae, E. D., Golan, O., \& Ovadia, O. (2014). Dangerous neighbors: Interactive effects of factors influencing cannibalism in pit-building antlion larvae. Behavioral Ecology, 25(6), 1311--1319. \link{https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/aru123} + +Scharf, I., Hollender, Y., Subach, A., \& Ovadia, O. (2008). Effect of spatial pattern and microhabitat on pit construction and relocation in Myrmeleon hyalinus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) larvae. Ecological Entomology, 33(3), 337--345. \link{https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.2007.00967.x} + +Crowley, P. H., \& Linton, M. C. (1999). Antlion Foraging: Tracking Prey Across Space and Time. Ecology, 80(7), 2271--2282. \link{https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080[2271:AFTPAS]2.0.CO;2} + +A. S Erasmus, B. F. N. *. (2000). A modelling approach to antlion (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) distribution patterns. African Entomology, 8(2), 157--168. +} diff --git a/data/conclusion.tex b/data/conclusion.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b39208c --- /dev/null +++ b/data/conclusion.tex @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +Pit depth and width correlate strongly with trial area, as demonstrated by graph one, which relates the two. +The pit positioning of antlions (as a group and as individuals) likely varies solely to maximize ant capture. +Therefore, this phenomenon is observed because antlions' (myrmeleon immaculatus) pits don't need to be as big when the main constraint on ants falling into the pit is simply having a pit available for them to fall into. +This is also observable by the trials' decreasing number of visible pits (versus total antlions introduced) with respect to size: they start to hide underground because rather than simply having smaller pits than stronger antlions, they have to rest underground, possibly to preserve group wellbeing. +Graph 2 indicates a similar trend---antlions' territory as described by the nearest neighbor calculation is much lower in smaller containers. +This is the natural consequence of less area being available but demonstrates that the effects of hiding don't completely level the density of antlion pits based on population per area. +Additionally, deaths remain minimal even in highly crowded conditions like the 8x7, which means that deaths are probably accidental at worst and antlions work to preserve the group's chances of surviving. +The earlier hypothesis was proven to be correct, as the correlation between a smaller trial size and more extreme behaviors (such as cannibalism and reclusiveness) is supported by the data, as an increase in cannibalism was seen in lower treatment groups, hinting towards more aggressive behavior at lower trial groups, thereby proving the hypothesis. diff --git a/data/hypothesis.tex b/data/hypothesis.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..834aad3 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/hypothesis.tex @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +\noindent{\bold Essential Question:} + +How do antlion spatial patterns, such as pit depth, width, and nearest neighbor, as well as behaviors, such as cannibalism and eating habits vary with respect to spatial constraints and temporal change? + +\medbreak +\noindent{\bold Hypothesis:} + +As the space available to antlion groups decreases, each claims less territory, and the populations tend towards more extreme behaviors, such as cannibalism and reclusivity, to limit competition for ants as an emergent feature of individual interactions. diff --git a/data/methods.tex b/data/methods.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b96170 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/methods.tex @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +To start the procedure the materials needed to be obtained. +Once materials were obtained the 160 ants were kept in one of the 6 inch plastic containers, and 200 grams of native sand was poured into each of the 40 remaining six inch containers. +Next, each of the 40 antlions (Myrmeleon immaculatus) were placed in one of the plastic containers containing sand, with each antlion getting its own container. +Following this each noticeable antlion pit was given two ants as food once every week, starting the Friday after the antlions were introduced to their temporary containers. +Then, the remaining amount of sand was placed into the 32x32 container and spread out using a meter stick until the surface of the sand was level. +Next, a meter stick was used to mark the sides of the 32x32 container with inch markers starting from the bottom right of the container on its lid. +Much like a coordinate plane, marks were made one inch apart going vertically from the bottom of the lid of the container and subsequently labeled with their position away from the bottom of the box in inches, this acted as the y-axis. +After this, marks were made one inch apart going horizontally from the right most section of the lid of the container and subsequently labeled with their position away from the right of the box in inches, this functioned as the x-axis. +Next, the 2 inch cup was placed at the center of the container and buried under 3cm of sand. +After this 4 antlions were introduced to the container every 24 hours until 30 antlions had been introduced, starting at 3:30 pm. +This was done by using the sieve to obtain four random antlions from their temporary containers and place them on the center of the container, where the plastic cup was. +Antlions were moved by using the sieve to remove the antlion from its six inch holding container. +As new antlion pits appeared toothpicks were inserted next to them to signify their presence. +Following the introduction of all 31 antlions a 24 settling period was allotted, after which the location of each antlion was measured using the grid system created earlier. +Following this a program was used to find the nearest neighbor and a ruler was used to find the pit depth and width in cm. +After data was taken the antlions were transferred back to their temporary containers by using a sieve to obtain the antlions from pits, where they were later placed in their temporary containers, dead antlions were kept in a freezer. +Following this a barrier was inserted to reduce the available space to 24x23 inches using cardboard dividers and sealed using making tape, to prevent antlions from escaping the enclosure. +After this another hour introductory period every 24 hours was repeated, will all remaining antlions, as some died in the previous trial. +Once all antlions were introduced another 24 hour settling period was allocated and pit depth, width and location were found using the same methods as above, and the antlions were returned to their temporary containers. +Following this the area of the box was reduced to 16x15 inches and all antlions were again introduced, 4 every 24 hours until all remaining antlions were placed in the pit. +Then another 24 hour settlement period was allotted and all data was collected the same was as the previous two trials, and the antlions were returned to their temporary containers. +Lastly, the area of the box was reduced to 8x7 inches and all antlions were again introduced, 4 every 24 hours until all remaining antlions were placed in the pit. +Then another 24 hour settlement period was allotted and all data was collected the same was as the previous three trials, and the antlions were returned to their enclosures. +To further understand the relevance of the study, the species of the antlions were examined through DNA barcoding. +Using min PCR and a gel barcoding system the antlion DNA was extracted, and used a strand of mitochondrial DNA, cytochrome C in order to identify the antlions using a national protein database. +The observed genus and species was Myrmeleon Immaculatus. diff --git a/data/research.tex b/data/research.tex new file mode 120000 index 0000000..b465725 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/research.tex @@ -0,0 +1 @@ +../poster/research.tex
\ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/vars.tex b/data/vars.tex new file mode 100644 index 0000000..256c3e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/vars.tex @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ + Throughout the experiment the independent variable was the size of the container, which changed from trial to trial, but did not change due to any other variable. +Furthermore, the dependent variable throughout the experiment was the settlement patterns and behaviors of the antlions (myrmeleon immaculatus), which was quantified through the nearest neighbor calculation, pit depth and width, and the number of cannibalized antlions. +The control trial of the experiment was the 32x32 trial, as it shows the spatial patterns and behaviors of the antlions with the most available space, limiting the effect of competition on settlement patterns, which qualifies it to be a good control group. |