Exercises — Lab 5: Adaptations and Invasive Species — Fashion a Fish

1. Lab 5 write-up scaffold

1. HYPOTHESIS — Predict which of the two environments in the Fashion a Fish activity (provided in Canvas) will be harder to design a fully adapted fish for. State why using adaptation vocabulary.
2. METHODS — Describe the Fashion a Fish activity: how you selected each trait (body shape, fins, mouth, eyes, coloration), what environment you designed for, and how you documented your design (drawing, description, photo).
3. DATA TABLE — Present your fish design: a labeled drawing or diagram + a trait table (trait name, description, adaptive function, which survival challenge it addresses).
4. ANALYSIS — Research one real invasive fish species. Describe two adaptations it has that give it a competitive advantage over native species in its new environment. Connect to natural selection.
5. CONCLUSION — (1) Were your chosen traits well-adapted to the environment? (2) What is one design limitation that could reduce your fish's fitness? (3) How do the adaptations you designed connect to the problem invasive fish species cause in real ecosystems?