Guppies

1. If being flashy and colorful attracts predators, why do you think guppies are so colorful?
I think guppies are colorful because they use their coloration to attract a mate.

2. After viewing the guppy gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s scientific name, origin and average size? Describe the coloration of the fish you chose.
Scientific Name: Poecilia Ruticulata
Origin: Brazil
Average Size: 1.4"
Coloration: The coloration consists of a clash of blues, yellows, black, and red.

3. After viewing the predator gallery, pick the fish you find most interesting. What is the fish’s common name, scientific name, and origin?
Common Name: Fat Sleeper
Scientific Name: Dormitator Maculatas
Origin: South North America, Bahamas, and Latin America

4. View the guppy’s habitats, what habitat conditions would affect the predator populations?
The conditions that may affect the predators could be the focus of the Guppy population, the presence of a dam, or the overall population of the Guppies in the stream.

5. Who is John Endler? What did he study and where did he study it?
Professor John A. Endler is an ethologist and evolutionary biologist noted for his work on the adaptation of vertebrates. He is most cited for the study of Guppies. He most likely studied Guppies for he wanted to learn why there are trends in coloration.

6. For each of the three stream areas, describe the guppy coloration:

Pool 1: Brightly colored with large spots

Pool 2: Medium coloration on body and tail, with medium-sized spots

Pool 3: Drab coloration, very small spots concentrated near tail


7. Develop your own hypothesis about guppy coloration. The hypothesis should answer the questions: Why do guppies in different areas of the stream have difference in coloration? (You can choose from the list on the simulation, or make up your own)
Guppies have different coloration depending on the concentration of predators and the need for camouflage.

8. Describe how predators influence guppy coloration.
Predators influence coloration by having the Guppies change their coloration to better hide themselves with camouflage.

9. Was your hypothesis correct, use your data to justify your answer.
It was correct as the more predators there were, the more drab (camouflaged) Guppies there would be.

10. What does it mean that “male guppies live in a crossfire between their enemies and their would be mates”?
It means that the brighter the Guppy is, the more likely the Guppy will find a mate, and the predator will find the Guppy and vice versa.

11. Why do you think guppies in different areas of the stream have different coloration?
I think Guppies in different areas have different coloration because there are often more predators at the end of the stream than at the beginning. This means there is a larger need for Guppies to be camouflaged in areas with larger amounts of predators and vice versa.



12. What would happen to mostly drab guppies that were placed in a stream with very few predators?



13. What would happen to brightly colored guppies that were placed in a stream with many predators?