Effects of Climate Change on Animal Dispersal

Behaviors
Directions: Once you have picked your species, complete Part I, Part II, and Part III. After completing ll
three parts, answer the analysis questions.
Part I: Completing research
Following the directions to explore data on Neotoma Database
1.

Go to Neotoma Database: http://www.neotomadb.org/

2.

Select Explorer at bottom left under the Home button

3.

Move and enlarge the North American Map with sliding scale at upper left

4.

Select the ice/ lakes (white polygon at top).

5.

In the drop down menu select 20,500 yr BP (before present)

6.

Click the arrow button below drop down menu labeled animate from oldest to youngest

7.

Watch animation from 20,500 yr BP to 4,500 yr BP, then pause animation.

8.

Select modern distribution (red polygon at top) and enter species scientific name

9.

Answer the following questions before Part II: CottonratSigmodonhispidus

1.

Is your species live alone but is not territorial, are they territorial, or do they live in groups? (Only
one) CottonratSigmodonhispiduslivealonebutveryterritorial.

2.

What type of distribution does your species have based on answer from previous questions?
Random

3.

What type of habitat does this organism live in? They normally live in grassy areas where there
are abundant of vegetables, including tall-grass prairies, meadows, agricultural areas, and old
fields.

Part II: Creating a Hypothesis

10. Create hypothesis: Using the information about your species and the changing climate, create a hypothesis
about where your species lived 15,000 to 20,000 years ago.
1.

Example Hypothesis: If the climate is colder from 15,000 to 20,000 years ago, then Myodes
gapperi should occur farther to the: south, north, east, or west (select one and test hypothesis)
because _______________________.

2.

If the climate in 15,000 to 20,000 years ago is colder, then Sigmodonhispidusshouldoccurtothe

southofMexico.Thisisbecausewhentheclimatechangeoccurs,thetemperatureinSigmodon
hispidusspreviousareawillincrease,causingthemtostarttodispersetoanewplacethathasan
optimaltemperaturethatwillnotgobeyondtheirrangeoftolerance(whichiswheretheyare
currentlylivinginnow).

Part III: Testing Hypothesis

11. Open search form (binoculars) at top left and enter species name
12. List dates of 20,000 to 15,000 and hit SEARCH

Analysis Questions: In pairs, answer the following questions in complete sentence.

1.

Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not? (Cite at least one fact from the results of your research that
does or doesnt support your hypothesis)
According to the binoculars, the evidence that was found did not support my hypothesis. Sigmodon
hispidusin20,000to15,000yearsago,didnotliveinthesouthernpartofMexicobuttheywerelivingin
themiddleandthenorth.Thismaybebecauseduringthisperiodoftime,theicesheetswereonlyformed
onCanada,whichisaboveMexico.So,whenclimatechangeoccurred,itdidntaffecttheregionun
Canadathatmuchastherewasnoicesheetformedinthefirstplace.

2.

What effect did climate change have on your species dispersal behavior?
Climate change can cause different species to disperse since they will need to live in only some certain
temperature that will not go beyond their range of tolerance for themselves.

3.

What were some other factors that may have effected dispersal behavior?
Outside range of tolerance, competition for resources, avoid in-breeding, and colonization.

4.

Recall the reasons for dispersal behavior. Name and explain at least two reasons from lecture that is
displayed in your species.
1.

2.

Colonization: In long time ago, cotton rats only occupy a small area of lands yet they started to
disperse to other areas later on. This may be because of their behavior of how they are very
aggressive and territorial, which caused them to demand more space for themselves.
Climate change: After the climate change occurred, cotton rats started to express their dispersal
behavior. They disperse to new places that have factors that they required.

5.

Bonus Question: Create hypothesis stating how distribution has changed 1,000 and 4,000 years ago. Test
your hypothesis by repeating steps 11 and 12 from Part III. Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?
If the climate in 1,000 to 4,000 years ago is colder, then Sigmodonhispiduswouldbelivinginthearea
aroundeasternofUSA.

6.

Did the results from question 5 differ from your expectations?

The results support my hypothesis as cotton rat like to live in the dry-moister area, where there are
abundant of vegetables. And according to the climate conditions sheet, the eastern part of USA. has the
temperature of hot humid but moister climate.