Answer: 1. Using the map and the minimal knowledge that Liz has at this point, propose three different hypotheses regarding the sudden high mortality of marine iguanas. Record your answers in the worksheet and post your hypotheses to the 03.01 class discussion board before proceeding to the next question. (3 points possible)
Hypotheses One: Iguanas are adapted to hot/warm weather, so the weather changed could have affected them.
Hypotheses Two: There was not enough shelter for the iguanas so they started disappearing.
Hypotheses Three: A new species has come close to where the iguanas live and taken them out.
2. Look at your classmates’ hypotheses on the discussion board. Choose one hypothesis that seems most likely to you. Provide the student name and hypothesis and tell what evidence you would need to support (or refute) it. (3 points possible) Carter Spiers, Hypothesis 1. there was a lot of rain and it washed at the iguanas away. We would have to dive into the water/ ocean and find iguana bodies to be able to prove that this is true.
3. Given what you know at this point about marine iguanas and the abiotic effects of ENSO, develop two possible directions of research that Liz should pursue to understand exactly why the iguanas suffered such a high mortality. Keep in mind that you need to consider indirect effects. While environmental temperature does change metabolic rates of ectotherms, the iguanas are exposed to a wide range of temperatures as they feed and bask on the lava. Direct mortality in response to a temperature change of a couple of degrees is unlikely. (3 points possible)
Possible Research Direction One: The climate event caused a lot more rainfall which then made it very hard for the iguanas to reach their food source.
Possible Research Direction Two: The temperatures raised very high causing the iguanas to absorb a extreme about of extra heat, which eventually made them very lazy and stopped defending their self from predators.
4. Choose one of those directions of research and determine what data you would need to find to support your ideas. (2 points possible) Specific data of the extreme amounts of rainfall.
Explanation:
