Contents of the Scorpion Races module
Synopsis: This module examines the costs of parental care, and illustrates the concept of behavioral flexibility, using scorpions as examples. Two simulations allow the user to play the role of a scorpion who is confronted by a predator, and who must decide whether to stand and fight or run away. The module is approximately 10 pages long.
1. Introduction
1a. Getting Started: learning objectives and
technical requirements.
2. First simulation: an interactive exercise
-- the user experiments to find whether the scorpion should fight or flee
when confronted by a predator
2a. First
simulation, without animation
3. How behavior evolves: an animated illustration
of how natural selection works to shape behavior
3a. How behavior evolves,
without animation
4. Second simulation: now the scorpion is carrying
a load of babies. Are the relative success rates of "fight" and "flee"
changed, and if so, how?
4a. Second simulation,
without animation
5. Behavioral flexibility: a short animation
highlights the ability of the scorpion to change its behavior based on
changed circumstances
5a. Behavioral flexibility,
without animation
6. Actual research: the basis for the module.
6a. Abstract
of research paper
Scorpion
Links
7. Summary
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