This week in Practice and Reinforce” the focus was on succession, so the forum this week will focus on species interactions. You saw just a few examples of adaptations that plants and animals have developed to protect themselves from predators. Your task for this forum is to seek out your own example of an adaptation that benefits a species of your choosing and present it to your classmates. This could be any type of animal with any adaptation covered in the lecture and reading materials: Mimicry, chemical defense, camouflage, warning coloration (just to name a few).

Research your chosen animal and create a new discussion post, addressing the following aspects:

Use the name of your chosen animal as the post title.

Points will be deducted for duplicate entries (unless the time stamps on both posts are very close together, suggesting they were being written at the same time).

Present your animal and your adaptation.

Discuss native habitat, other species the animal typically interacts with including predators and competitors.

Think about community interactions and co-evolution as you explore your chosen species.

Discuss how the animal’s adaptation helps them survive, as well as how its predators/competitors have evolved in response to this adaptation.

Include a picture to in your post.

(or at the very least a link to a site that has an image).

To receive full credit, you must:

• Write in complete sentences that are thoughtful, well written, and free of typos.
• Address all parts of the forum topic.
• Use vocabulary presented in the learning materials appropriately.

orum Grading and Feedback

All forums will be graded using the following criteria. You must create one discussion and reply to at least one other post by 8 pm on Saturday to receive any points.

Criteria

0 Points

1 Point

1.5 Points

2 Point

Total Possible Points

Initial Discussion

Posts information that is off-topic, incorrect, or irrelevant to forum topic

OR

 there is evidence of plagiarism

OR

did not post by the deadline.

Posts adequate information with superficial thought and preparation; doesn’t address all aspects of the forum topic.

Posts well developed information that addresses all aspects of the assignment; lacks full development of concepts.

Posts well developed information that fully addresses and develops all aspects of the forum topic.

2

Criteria

0 Points

0.5 Points

0.75 Points

1 Point

Total Possible Points

Vocabulary and Concept Integration

Does not attempt to integrate appropriate vocabulary and concepts presented in the learning materials

OR

there is evidence of plagiarism

OR

Did not post by the deadline.

Attempts to integrates appropriate vocabulary and concepts presented in learning materials, but does not include personal experiences, additional references and images when appropriate

AND

demonstrates a misunderstanding of concepts.

Integrates appropriate vocabulary and concepts presented in learning materials, but does not include personal experiences, additional references and images when appropriate

OR

demonstrates a misunderstanding of concepts.

Integrates appropriate vocabulary and concepts presented in learning materials, includes personal experiences, additional references and images when appropriate.

1

Follow-Up Postings

Posts no follow-up responses to others.

Posts shallow contribution to discussion (e.g., agrees or disagrees); does not enrich discussion.

Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or observation.

Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussion by building on thoughts provided by others.

1

Uniqueness of Discussion Topic

(When Applicable)

Topic selected is identical to a discussion posted earlier in the forum.

Topic selected is very similar to a discussion posted earlier in the forum. (i.e. you post about Bengal tigers when someone else already posted about Siberian tigers)

N/A

Topic selected is unique to other classmates
OR
time stamp of posting is within 1 hour of another post on the same topic.

1

Maximum Score

4 – 5

An example of how the discussion should look like

rctic wolves have many adaptations for living in the cold. One of them is size. The bigger the wolf are, the more warmth. Arctic wolves have two layers of fur. The outer one is thicker and conserves heat while the inner one is a waterproof layer, sort of like a scuba diving suit. That way they can survive snow and the cold, while the thickness and the ability to conserve warmth decrease during summer. Arctic wolves have smaller ears than other wolves since that also helps them conserve heat. The paws on a wolf are padded with fat to give them a grip on snow and ice and also to protect them from the cold ground. Arctic wolves must travel over large distances to hunt their main prey, musk ox and caribou (or reindeer). They will prey on smaller animals, such as arctic hares, arctic foxes, lemmings, and waterfowl. Sometimes, they will scavenge the leftover prey of a polar bear. Arctic wolves are carnivorous, and since there is such little plant life in the arctic anyway, they only eat meat.

Parents Arctic Wolf.

Baby Arctic Wolf.