Fruit Fly Speciation and Behavior

The video discusses speciation, focusing on fruit flies in North America. It explains how different species of fruit flies live on specific host fruits and do not interbreed, despite overlapping habitats. The introduction of apples by European colonists led to a new environment for Hawthorne flies, raising questions about the emergence of a new species. Scientists study these flies' behavior and DNA to understand speciation better.

What is the primary method scientists use to hypothesize about speciation events that occurred before human observation?

• Speculation

• Various lines of evidence

• Historical records

• Direct observation

Which fruit fly species is known to inhabit blueberries?

• Hawthorne flies

• Blueberry flies

• Snowberry flies

• Apple flies

What significant environmental change did European colonists introduce that affected fruit fly populations?

• New farming techniques

• Introduction of the domestic apple

• Climate change

• Deforestation

What is the significance of the apple in the study of fruit fly speciation?

• It is a new host fruit introduced by colonists

• It is the original host fruit for all flies

• It is unrelated to the study

• It is used to attract flies in the lab

What is one of the key questions scientists aim to answer through their study of fruit fly behavior and DNA?

• What is the migration pattern of fruit flies?

• How long do flies live?

• What is the diet of fruit flies?

• Are the Hawthorne and apple fly populations becoming two species?

What do scientists do with the fruit after flies lay eggs in them?

• Discard the fruit

• Sell the fruit

• Observe the fruit in the wild

• Bring the fruit to the lab

How do scientists mimic the natural environment of fruit fly pupae in the lab?

• By using sound recordings

• By feeding them natural fruit

• By controlling temperature and humidity

• By using artificial light

What is one of the main factors scientists study to determine if two fly populations are diverging into separate species?

• Size of the flies

• Flight patterns

• Color of the flies

• Differences in DNA and proteins

What question do scientists hope to answer with the data collected from their studies on fruit flies?

• What is the most common fruit for flies?

• What is the lifespan of a fruit fly?

• Can the Hawthorne and apple fly populations be considered two distinct species?

• How do fruit flies choose their mates?

What is the main focus of the scientific investigation described in the video?

• To study the migration of fruit flies

• To determine if environmental changes affect fly behavior

• To investigate if Hawthorne and apple flies are becoming separate species

• To analyze the diet of fruit flies