Conceptual and Mathematical Evolutionary Fitness Models.

The activities presented in this article allowed students to conceptually explore and apply mathematical models of fitness through a hypothetical activity where black-footed ferrets eat prairie dogs over several generations. In addition, students examined an applet of butterflies being eaten by a bird, showing directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection. Finally, students applied a mathematical model created in Excel by entering relative fitness values and interpreting the resulting graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]