Trouble in Paradise

By James A. Hewlett

Abstract

In this case study, students apply principles of evolution they have learned in class to create their own story explaining the evolutionary history of a previously unknown species of rodent discovered on an island in the West Indies. The case study is designed for use in a freshman introductory biology course or a course on evolution.

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Date Posted

12/04/2000

Overview

Objectives

Understand the principles of evolution and classification.
Understand the concept of species.
Understand the evidence in support of evolution.
Develop a common name for the fictitious species of mammals and apply the rules of binomial classification to provide a scientific name.
Apply concepts of micro- and macro-evolution to produce an evolutionary story for the fictitious mammals.
Interpret simple data sets and make inferences and conclusions from that data.
Produce data and/or evidence in support of an original evolutionary story of the student's own creation.

Keywords

Species; speciation; natural selection; gene flow; genetic drift; reproductive isolation; mammals; evolution

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Evolutionary Biology

Zoology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Role-Play

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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