The following experiment is used for the following question. A researcher discovered a species of moth that lays its eggs on oak trees. Eggs are laid at two distinct times of the year: early in spring when the oak trees are flowering and in midsummer when flowering is past. Caterpillars from eggs that hatch in spring feed on oak flowers and look like oak flowers, but caterpillars that hatch in summer feed on oak leaves and look like oak twigs. How does the same population of moths produce such different-looking caterpillars on the same trees? To answer this question, the biologist caught many female moths from the same population and collected their eggs. He put at least one egg from each female into eight identical cups. The eggs hatched, and at least two larvae from each female were maintained in one of the four temperature and light conditions listed below. Temperature Springlike Springlike Summerlike Summerlike Day Length Springlike Summerlike springlike summerlike In each of the four environments, one of the caterpillars was fed oak flowers, the other oak leaves. Thus, there were total of eight treatment groups (4 environments x 2 diets). Recall that eggs from the same female were exposed to each of the eight treatments used. This aspect of the experimental design tested which of the following hypotheses? O Differences in diet trigger the development of different types of caterpillars. O Differences in air pressure, due to elevation, trigger the development of different types of caterpillars. O The differences are genetic. A female will either produce all flowerlike caterpillars or all twig-like caterpillars. O The longer day lengths of summer trigger the development of twig-like caterpillars.

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# Understanding Environmental Influence on Moth Caterpillar Development

The following experiment is useful in addressing the development of specific physical traits in moth caterpillars based on environmental factors.

## Background

A researcher discovered a species of moth that lays its eggs on oak trees. Eggs are laid at two distinct times of the year: early in spring when oak trees are flowering, and in midsummer after flowering has ended. Notably, the caterpillars from eggs hatched in spring feed on oak flowers and resemble the flowers, whereas caterpillars that hatch in summer feed on oak leaves and resemble the leaves.

## Research Question

The central question of this study is: **How does the same population of moths produce caterpillars that look different on the same trees?**

## Experimental Setup

A biologist collected numerous female moths from the same population and harvested their eggs. Each batch of eggs was separated into eight identical cups, which were then subjected to four different temperature and day length combinations as shown in the table below:

| Temperature | Day Length  |
|-------------|-------------|
| Springlike  | Springlike  |
| Springlike  | Summerlike  |
| Summerlike  | Springlike  |
| Summerlike  | Summerlike  |

- **Springlike:** Mimics early spring conditions
- **Summerlike:** Mimics mid-summer conditions

In each environmental condition, one of the caterpillars was provided oak flowers as the diet, and the other oak leaves, resulting in a total of eight treatment groups (4 conditions × 2 diets).

## Hypothesis Testing

Caterpillar larvae hatched and their development was observed to test the following hypotheses based on these conditions:

1. Differences in diet trigger the development of different types of caterpillars.
2. Differences in air pressure, due to elevation, trigger the development of different types of caterpillars.
3. The differences are genetic. A female will either produce all flowerlike caterpillars or all twig-like caterpillars.
4. The longer day lengths of summer trigger the development of twig-like caterpillars.

## Conclusion

The experiment aims to determine the direct factors influencing the development of different physical features in caterpillars from the same moth species, whether it be diet, environmental conditions, genetic factors, or day lengths.

This detailed approach helps illustrate the impact of combined environmental factors on the phenotypic expression of species within an ecological framework.
Transcribed Image Text:# Understanding Environmental Influence on Moth Caterpillar Development The following experiment is useful in addressing the development of specific physical traits in moth caterpillars based on environmental factors. ## Background A researcher discovered a species of moth that lays its eggs on oak trees. Eggs are laid at two distinct times of the year: early in spring when oak trees are flowering, and in midsummer after flowering has ended. Notably, the caterpillars from eggs hatched in spring feed on oak flowers and resemble the flowers, whereas caterpillars that hatch in summer feed on oak leaves and resemble the leaves. ## Research Question The central question of this study is: **How does the same population of moths produce caterpillars that look different on the same trees?** ## Experimental Setup A biologist collected numerous female moths from the same population and harvested their eggs. Each batch of eggs was separated into eight identical cups, which were then subjected to four different temperature and day length combinations as shown in the table below: | Temperature | Day Length | |-------------|-------------| | Springlike | Springlike | | Springlike | Summerlike | | Summerlike | Springlike | | Summerlike | Summerlike | - **Springlike:** Mimics early spring conditions - **Summerlike:** Mimics mid-summer conditions In each environmental condition, one of the caterpillars was provided oak flowers as the diet, and the other oak leaves, resulting in a total of eight treatment groups (4 conditions × 2 diets). ## Hypothesis Testing Caterpillar larvae hatched and their development was observed to test the following hypotheses based on these conditions: 1. Differences in diet trigger the development of different types of caterpillars. 2. Differences in air pressure, due to elevation, trigger the development of different types of caterpillars. 3. The differences are genetic. A female will either produce all flowerlike caterpillars or all twig-like caterpillars. 4. The longer day lengths of summer trigger the development of twig-like caterpillars. ## Conclusion The experiment aims to determine the direct factors influencing the development of different physical features in caterpillars from the same moth species, whether it be diet, environmental conditions, genetic factors, or day lengths. This detailed approach helps illustrate the impact of combined environmental factors on the phenotypic expression of species within an ecological framework.
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