Week 5
Natural Selection Lab Report
Name: Breanna Simmons
Date: 09-25-2025
Purpose: To apply the principles of natural selection to the effect of predation and
background on the color patterns of male guppies over a period of 15 generations.
Natural Selection Virtual Lab Schedule
Note: Complete the online Natural Selection Virtual Lab and this lab report in the
following order:
1. From within the classroom, click on the link to the online Natural Selection
Virtual Lab and follow the lab instructions. Stop when the STOP sign
appears in the virtual lab.
2. Complete Step 1 in the Results section of this lab report.
3. Complete the Hypothesis section of this lab report.
4. Return to the virtual lab and finish conducting the virtual experiment.
5. Record your observations from the virtual experiment by completing Step
2 in the Results section.
6. Complete the Analysis and Conclusion sections of this lab report.
7. Submit the finished lab report to your Instructor, following the submission
instructions in your online classroom.
Hypothesis
Note: Complete Step 1 in the Results section first. The observations you make there
are ultimately part of the results and contribute to your hypothesis. Then, write your
hypothesis (see instructions below).
In the table below, explain what you expect to observe in the color patterns of the male
guppies in each of the ponds based on what you know about natural selection.
Pond 1 I suspect that guppies with dull, more camouflaged colors will
Prediction survive more often, since the flashy ones will be easily spotted and
eaten. Over time, the population should become less colorful.
Pond 2 I suspect that natural selection will favor guppies that blend into the
Prediction gravel easier, leading to duller colors compared to ponds without
predators.
Pond 3 With no predators, sexual selection will take over, causing more
Prediction brightly colored guppies who will attract mates and spread their
genes, growing a more colorful population.
© 2024 Walden University
Natural Selection Lab Report - 1
, Pond 4 I suspect the same as I did with pond 3, without predators, the
Prediction guppies will grow in population with brighter colors, but I suspect the
specific color patterns will differ based on how they contrast with the
fine gravel background.
Note: After completing Step 1 in the Results section and writing your hypothesis, above,
return to the Natural Selection Virtual Lab and select the NEXT button to complete the
virtual experiment.
Materials and Methods
Before running this experiment you will create four different experimental ponds. The
ponds will vary according to the kind of gravel (large, coarse gravel or small, fine gravel)
and according to whether a guppy predator is present. In order to set up the
experimental ponds you need to “drag and “drop” the correct sand size and the
predators into the appropriate pond. You will then view a representative of a typical male
guppy from a common pool and place a breeding population of these guppies in each of
the experimental ponds. After approximately 15 guppy generations pass, the simulator
will allow you to view a representative male guppy from each pond. You will observe
and then record the male guppy color pattern representative of each pond in the results
table and note any variations from the common ancestor.
Results
Step 1:
a. Record your observations of the guppy color pattern before the start of the
experiment in the table above.
Describe a typical male guppy at the beginning of the experiment here:
The typical male guppies from before the experiment started are a dark greenish-yellow
color with two bright orange spots near their tail.
b. Complete the Gravel Type and Predator columns in the table below.
Note: After completing Step 1, complete the Hypothesis section.
Step 2: After you select the TIME button in the interactive virtual experiment, record
your observations of the changes in the color patterns of the guppies in the
Observations Over Time column.
© 2024 Walden University
Natural Selection Lab Report - 2
Natural Selection Lab Report
Name: Breanna Simmons
Date: 09-25-2025
Purpose: To apply the principles of natural selection to the effect of predation and
background on the color patterns of male guppies over a period of 15 generations.
Natural Selection Virtual Lab Schedule
Note: Complete the online Natural Selection Virtual Lab and this lab report in the
following order:
1. From within the classroom, click on the link to the online Natural Selection
Virtual Lab and follow the lab instructions. Stop when the STOP sign
appears in the virtual lab.
2. Complete Step 1 in the Results section of this lab report.
3. Complete the Hypothesis section of this lab report.
4. Return to the virtual lab and finish conducting the virtual experiment.
5. Record your observations from the virtual experiment by completing Step
2 in the Results section.
6. Complete the Analysis and Conclusion sections of this lab report.
7. Submit the finished lab report to your Instructor, following the submission
instructions in your online classroom.
Hypothesis
Note: Complete Step 1 in the Results section first. The observations you make there
are ultimately part of the results and contribute to your hypothesis. Then, write your
hypothesis (see instructions below).
In the table below, explain what you expect to observe in the color patterns of the male
guppies in each of the ponds based on what you know about natural selection.
Pond 1 I suspect that guppies with dull, more camouflaged colors will
Prediction survive more often, since the flashy ones will be easily spotted and
eaten. Over time, the population should become less colorful.
Pond 2 I suspect that natural selection will favor guppies that blend into the
Prediction gravel easier, leading to duller colors compared to ponds without
predators.
Pond 3 With no predators, sexual selection will take over, causing more
Prediction brightly colored guppies who will attract mates and spread their
genes, growing a more colorful population.
© 2024 Walden University
Natural Selection Lab Report - 1
, Pond 4 I suspect the same as I did with pond 3, without predators, the
Prediction guppies will grow in population with brighter colors, but I suspect the
specific color patterns will differ based on how they contrast with the
fine gravel background.
Note: After completing Step 1 in the Results section and writing your hypothesis, above,
return to the Natural Selection Virtual Lab and select the NEXT button to complete the
virtual experiment.
Materials and Methods
Before running this experiment you will create four different experimental ponds. The
ponds will vary according to the kind of gravel (large, coarse gravel or small, fine gravel)
and according to whether a guppy predator is present. In order to set up the
experimental ponds you need to “drag and “drop” the correct sand size and the
predators into the appropriate pond. You will then view a representative of a typical male
guppy from a common pool and place a breeding population of these guppies in each of
the experimental ponds. After approximately 15 guppy generations pass, the simulator
will allow you to view a representative male guppy from each pond. You will observe
and then record the male guppy color pattern representative of each pond in the results
table and note any variations from the common ancestor.
Results
Step 1:
a. Record your observations of the guppy color pattern before the start of the
experiment in the table above.
Describe a typical male guppy at the beginning of the experiment here:
The typical male guppies from before the experiment started are a dark greenish-yellow
color with two bright orange spots near their tail.
b. Complete the Gravel Type and Predator columns in the table below.
Note: After completing Step 1, complete the Hypothesis section.
Step 2: After you select the TIME button in the interactive virtual experiment, record
your observations of the changes in the color patterns of the guppies in the
Observations Over Time column.
© 2024 Walden University
Natural Selection Lab Report - 2
