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To design the experiment and understand the 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
concerning 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
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 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 examined to better understand the insects. These studies
determined that antlions stay in their larva form, during 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 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 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 this
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
claimed that antlions tend to cannibalize each other in
times of food shortage and significant competition. This provided
another dependent variable to track over time and examine as the 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. These studies also provided scientific procedures
that could be tested and confirmed throughout the experiment, allowing
for a source to cross-check results and procedures to perfect
the procedure of the experiment.
Finally, to effectively conduct a follow-up examination of the
nations spatial patterns and distributions the previous year's 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 year's 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.
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