BIOL 121 Chapter Notes -Species Richness, Pisaster Ochraceus, Decomposer
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BIOL 121 Full Course Notes
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Theories good b/c explain fundamental aspects of nature. State hypothesis clearly and list predictions it makes. Longer neck giraffe can reach food unavailable to other species + short neck giraffe. Resulted in longest-necked population to survive better and produce more young. Long necks are adaptions, increase fitness of giraffes during food competition. Natural selection occurred long enough to change population as a whole. Giraffes feed high in trees, more in dry season when threat of starvation high: both male and female spend most of time eating from 60% of full height. Based on idea that longer-necked giraffes ale to strike harder blows during combat (for mating purposes) If neck length inherited, average length should increase over time due to sexual competition. Long neck are adaptions, increase fitness of males during competition for females. Studies shown long-necked males more successful in fighting. Both hypothesis could be correct, but must be tested rigorously.