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Bean Beetles Make Biology Research Sexy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We describe a multiweek laboratory exercise that engages students in class-based research related to sexual reproduction, selection, orientation, and operational sex ratios. Specifically, students discuss contemporary research on sex in the bean beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, and then develop and test hypotheses related to bean beetle sex. Working with bean beetles is inexpensive and logistically manageable, allowing instructors to scale up to large-enrollment courses. In addition, live organisms engage students in meaningful dialogue related to evolution, sex, and the process of science itself.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)233-240
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Biology Teacher
Volume78
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved.

Copyright:
Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Callosobruchus maculatus
  • Sexual selection
  • bean beetles
  • course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE)

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