You are here: Home / Resources / Browse Resources

Open. Adaptable. Free.

Resources created by our members and partners.

The QUBES platform hosts hundreds of teaching materials, reference materials, and cloud-based software free to use and adapt using open Creative Commons licenses.

Text Search:
Applied Filters
    What is Speciation, How Does It Occur, and Why Is It Important for Conservation?
    Speciation provides a framework for classifying biodiversity on Earth and is a central concept in evolutionary biology. To help undergraduate students learn about speciation, we designed a...

    Keywords: EvolutionconservationGenetic DriftSpeciationNatural SelectionBiological species conceptgene flowMorphological species conceptPhylogenetic species concept

    3720

    views

    1093

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Studying phylogeny by producing phylogenetic trees of primates using morphological and molecular characteristics.
    An assignment constructing phylogenetic trees using shared, derived morphological traits and molecular differences among 18 primate species and two outlier species has been developed. Skull and...
    661

    views

    136

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Mutualism and Coevolution of Agave and Bats
    In this module, students will investigate the mutualistic relationship between Agave its bat pollinators and the effects of coevolution on the morphological adaptations of the species involved.
    1576

    views

    155

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Wing Aspect Ratio and Morphological Measurement Analysis Relating to Bird Flight and Natural History
    This activity simulates analysis and identification of bird specimens based on the relationship of the natural history of bird species with the morphographic measurements and ratios compared to...
    4853

    views

    467

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Cladistic Analysis Lesson Using Bats
    Phylogenetic analysis can be a challenging concept to grasp for undergraduate biology students. This cladistic analysis lesson utilizes the amazingly diverse Order Chiroptera as a model to...

    Keywords: batsphylogeny and classificationVertebrate Morphologycladistic analysisbat evolution

    612

    views

    296

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Measuring Size and Area of Digitized Specimens using ImageJ
    Use ImageJ to analyze morphological characters in digital images of natural history specimens. Skills are transferable to many organisms and other morphological measurements.

    Keywords: ImageJnatural history collectionscourse-based research experiences (CUREs)digitized natural history collections

    1227

    views

    1953

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Modifying HHMI Anole Resources: Using Image J to Quantify Ecomorphs and Tree-thinking to Explore Evolutionary Hypotheses
    I recombined the HHMI resources to have the students perform the image analysis from Virtual Lab 1 in Image J and explore the evolutionary principles in the Lizard Phenology modules

    Keywords: Evolutionorganismal biologytool:imagejSpeciationTree thinkingDNAphylogeny and classification

    1940

    views

    2630

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Building Trees: Introducing evolutionary concepts by exploring Crassulaceae phylogeny and biogeography
    Teaching evolutionary theory is foundational for all biological sciences and a key aspect of overall science literacy. The conceptual framework for understanding evolution relies on thinking...

    Keywords: EvolutionphylogeneticsTree thinkingbiogeography

    2597

    views

    982

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Constructing Phylogenies using Herbarium Specimens
    This lab is intended as an introduction to a plant systematics course. Students work in groups of two to apply what they have learned about plant structures to develop a character matrix based on a...

    Keywords: botanyphylogenyherbariumdistance learningPlant systematicscharacter matrix

    243

    views

    74

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Species Conservation Management Plan Report and Class Exercise
    In this project, students work in pairs to become an expert in their assigned IUCN Red List endangered species. They are charged to create a well-researched, written conservation management plan....

    Keywords: ecologyconservation4DEE Frameworkmanagement planspeed dating exercise

    315

    views

    75

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Case Study: Genetic Variation and Speciation in the Black Tailed Rattlesnake complex (Crotalus molossus)
    It is important for biology students to understand how genetic variation is related to the formation of species in nature. This module is intended for students to obtain first hand experience with...

    Keywords: phylogeneticscase studySpeciationtree readingsystematicsTree thinkingPhylogeographydistance learninggenetic variation

    460

    views

    42

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    What is a species? Using DNA barcodes to identify species and determine insect responses to global warming
    Combining ecology, molecular tools and physiology, students investigate insect adaptation to temperatures along tropical mountains. Students integrate species concepts, DNA barcoding and thermal...

    Keywords: global warmingbeetleBiological species conceptCephaloleiacrticial thermal maximumcryptic specieselevational gradientsthermal limitstropical insectsZingiberales

    170

    views

    22

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Optimal Foraging Theory
    This module introduces the optimal foraging strategy in the context of understanding competition and coexistence among species. It is intended for an introductory biology audience.

    Keywords: ecologyforagingoptimal foragingInequalities

    906

    views

    195

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Liberating Data for Biodiversity Research
    The objectives of this exercise are to familiarize you with the information content of biodiversity specimens and their labels, the breadth of that information across geographic space and/or time.

    Keywords: Biodiversitynatural history collectionsBLUEresearch specimensbiodiversity dataspecimen labels

    1579

    views

    541

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Responses to Climate Change in California Chipmunks: Move, Adapt, or Die
    A series of three modules using data from natural history museum collections to examine responses to climate change in multiple chipmunk species. Elevation and morphological data, beginner skills...

    Keywords: statisticsmodelingmodulemorphologysummary statisticsmodulesclimate datamuseumsclimate changeundergraduate educationR programming languageprogrammingelevationnatural history museumsmammalssmall mammals community dynamicsmuseum collectionsVertebrate Morphologyopen educational resourceR programming environment

    1425

    views

    810

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Science Behind the Lesson: It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Biomechanics!
    Active flight is a specialized mode of movement found in insects, birds, and mammals. The anatomy, morphology, physiology, and ecology of flying taxa has changed over evolutionary time. Researchers...

    Keywords: EvolutionecologybatphysiologyAnatomybiomechanicsbirdFlightinsect

    2681

    views

    139

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Biogeography of Hantavirus Hosts
    Using QGIS, this module introduces students to zoonotic pathogens, host biogeography, the "One Health" concept, forming hypothesis, and natural history museums within the Hantavirus system.

    Keywords: human-environmental interactionsmammalsbiogeographyhypothesis formulationdigitized natural history collectionshuman healthQGISzoonotic diseasesone healthrodentsPathogens

    433

    views

    256

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A CURE in traits and species distributions: Reproductive modes, range sizes, and natural history collections
    This course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) focuses on developing hypotheses about how traits influence the range sizes of species. Topics with substantive content include symbioses,...

    Keywords: Evolutionbiostatisticsecologynatural history collectionsSymbiosisspecies distributionsherbariumplant functional traitsLichenReproductive biologyAppalachian mountains

    1800

    views

    463

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Functional trait-based restoration. Can hybrid restoration enhance invasion resistance and ecosystem services?
    A hybrid restoration experiment in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, in an area of high biocultural conservation value, that address the ecological and philosophical issues involved in conducting restoration with a...

    Keywords: Invasive SpeciesagroforestryHawaii CountyRestoration Ecologyplant functional traitstropical forest

    2484

    views

    92

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Climate-Induced Shifts in California Butterflies
    A module in which students generate and test hypotheses about butterfly species’ response to climate change in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California using publicly...

    Keywords: linear regressionScatter Plotsclimate changephenologyhypothesis formulationmountainsCaliforniapublic dataCODAP

    1083

    views

    246

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Close

    Home

    Search