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Diffstat (limited to 'poster')
| -rw-r--r-- | poster/abstract.tex | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | poster/research.tex | 12 |
2 files changed, 7 insertions, 7 deletions
diff --git a/poster/abstract.tex b/poster/abstract.tex index 7ad6e27..b5556ac 100644 --- a/poster/abstract.tex +++ b/poster/abstract.tex @@ -5,4 +5,4 @@ Lastly, a python program was made to analytically compare the data and create gr It was hypothesised that cannibalism would increase and that pit depth and width would change proportionally to the environment. The hypothesis that they exhibit more extreme behaviors under space constraints was confirmed because, proportional to the number introduced, especially in the 8x7 trial, as cannibalism and non-formation of pits increased significantly---likely as a compensatory mechanism to ensure that a stable ``surface group'' could still safely exist. Additionally, territory (measurable by the Voronoi diagrams and by nearest neighbor) decreased towards the later trials, and the patterns did not merely display the same structure scaled down---rather, antlions accepted more dense conditions by increasing pit density. -This likely corresponds to natural conditions (especially in hatcheries) where some proportion of the antlions remain on the surface (increasing with population density because it's understood to mean a prevalence of food), and as the surface antlions become adults (sometimes fed through cannibalism), new larvae emerge to take their place and sustain the species propagation. +This likely corresponds to natural conditions (especially in hatcheries) where some proportion of the antlions remain on the surface (increasing with population density because it's understood to mean a prevalence of food), and as the surface antlions become adults (sometimes fed through cannibalism), new larvae emerge to take their place and sustain the species' propagation. diff --git a/poster/research.tex b/poster/research.tex index aedb5ef..da280aa 100644 --- a/poster/research.tex +++ b/poster/research.tex @@ -1,19 +1,19 @@ To design the experiment and understand the organisms' underlying behaviors which might affect it, extensive background research was required---specifically on their spatial distribution patterns. 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 each neighbor sic other termite mounds at a relatively constant distance, 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 to the possible intraspecies competition that could result from close antlion contact, leading to the prediction that antlions (myrmeleon immaculatus )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. +Furthermore, this study uncovered that termite mounds must maintain a constant distance from each other to prevent conflict between termite colonies, which would limit the overall success of the species. +These results helped guide and shape this study that was conducted by providing insight to the possible intraspecies competition that could result from close antlion contact, leading to the prediction that antlions (Myrmeleon immaculatus) 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. +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. +This helped determine the dependent variable---size/density constraints---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. - Lastly, 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. +Lastly, 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. |