Choice of Poecillia Reticulata
The Choice of the Poecilia Reticulata
ABSTRACT We documented the habitat preference in the species of fish named Poecilia reticulate, also known as guppies, to determine if there would be a difference in swimming performance and other distinguished behavior patterns. A species habitat plays the key role in its life; it’s a determinant in its sexual selection, distribution and overall behavior. Guppies that are in their natural habitats must adapt to outside threats of predation, drought and other variables that may impact their mating or food source. Our experiment tested a total of 25 guppies, each being taken from a heavily populated atmosphere and placed into two separate tanks where it was the only occupant. Would it prefer to take cover amongst the artificially placed foliage or would it stay in the open as a means to investigate its surroundings? Our hypothesis was that it would choose to take cover rather than being in the open. A reason for the covering hypothesis was that the fish may feel threatened being in the open and alone. Our hypothesis was rejected; the fish did not prefer the covered side over the barren. A possible consideration for this surprising outcome is due to the fact that these fish have been raised in a controlled environment, therefore the need to take cover from predators is unneeded.
INTRODUCTION
The Poecilia reticulate are a species of fish that are accustomed to warm water habitats. They are natives of the Venezuelan freshwater streams and other adjacent Caribbean islands (Matingly, 1994). In their natural habitats, they evade potential predators by using covering from surrounding foliage and other organisms in their environment. They were first introduced in scientific research as a means of controlling the mosquito population to interrupt the spread of malaria (O’steen, 2002.) While their natural habitat provides a thorough covering from predation, it also impacts the sexual selection that is prevalent among the species.
ABSTRACT We documented the habitat preference in the species of fish named Poecilia reticulate, also known as guppies, to determine if there would be a difference in swimming performance and other distinguished behavior patterns. A species habitat plays the key role in its life; it’s a determinant in its sexual selection, distribution and overall behavior. Guppies that are in their natural habitats must adapt to outside threats of predation, drought and other variables that may impact their mating or food source. Our experiment tested a total of 25 guppies, each being taken from a heavily populated atmosphere and placed into two separate tanks where it was the only occupant. Would it prefer to take cover amongst the artificially placed foliage or would it stay in the open as a means to investigate its surroundings? Our hypothesis was that it would choose to take cover rather than being in the open. A reason for the covering hypothesis was that the fish may feel threatened being in the open and alone. Our hypothesis was rejected; the fish did not prefer the covered side over the barren. A possible consideration for this surprising outcome is due to the fact that these fish have been raised in a controlled environment, therefore the need to take cover from predators is unneeded.
INTRODUCTION
The Poecilia reticulate are a species of fish that are accustomed to warm water habitats. They are natives of the Venezuelan freshwater streams and other adjacent Caribbean islands (Matingly, 1994). In their natural habitats, they evade potential predators by using covering from surrounding foliage and other organisms in their environment. They were first introduced in scientific research as a means of controlling the mosquito population to interrupt the spread of malaria (O’steen, 2002.) While their natural habitat provides a thorough covering from predation, it also impacts the sexual selection that is prevalent among the species.
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