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Worksheet 5 – Competition
This worksheet is designed to help you:
i) Understand the differences between intraspecific and interspecific competition.
ii) Determine factors that may drive competition in nature.
Answer/address all of the following questions. In all cases, we require that your work be typed and
that you make computer printouts of spreadsheets, graphics, or statistical output. Your TA may ask
you to email your Excel spreadsheet.
1. Provide 2 examples of intraspecific competition and 2 examples of interspecific competition.
Cite your sources (16pts). Explain which scenario has more intense competition.
2. What drove the evolution of Darwin’s finches to develop specialized beak shapes? How does
this relate to inter vs. intraspecific competition?
3. Produce a table for each comparison showing the average number of beans collected by each
individual during each foraging experiment (30pts).
4. Produce a bar graph(s) reporting the treatment averages with error bars for each foraging
experiment (16pts).
5. Provide null and alternative hypotheses for each foraging experiment—a total of 3 sets of
hypothesis. (6pts).
6. Perform appropriate statistical tests for each hypothesis (6pts).
7. Discuss the results of each statistical test (15pts).
8. Invasive species have often been introduced to the everglades. We have discussed the
Burmese python, and how it may reduce the number of vertebrates in the Everglades. Now I
would like you to describe how the introduction of pythons might alter competition. Which
species might be affected? How might they evolve to avoid or win out in competition with the
python. Finally, choose another plant or animal (this time not a top predator) and describe how
it’s introduction into the Everglades might alter the balance of competition and change the
ecosystem (11pts).