Question

short - tailed albatross shy albatross wandering albatross laysan albatross
a. what is one trait that could be used to separate these albatrosses into two groups of two birds each? (hint: look at the colors and patterns on their plumage and beaks.)

b. use this trait to write statement set #1 in the table below. the statements should be mutually exclusive. in other words, either the albatross has that trait or it doesnt.

c. observe the albatrosses described by statement #1a. identify one trait that could be used to differentiate these organisms and use it to write statement set #2. repeat this step for the albatrosses described by statement #1b.

set	statements	identity of organism
	b.	go to #3
2	a.
	b.
3	a.
	b.

Explanation:

Part A

Step1: Analyze plumage/ beak traits

Look at color patterns (e.g., beak color: yellow/orange vs non - yellow; plumage: lighter vs darker wing patterns).

Step2: Select a trait

Beak color: two have yellow/orange beaks (Short - tailed, Wandering), two have non - yellow (Shy, Laysan). Or wing plumage: two with lighter wing patterns (Short - tailed, Laysan), two with darker (Shy, Wandering). Let's take beak color.

Step1: Define mutually exclusive statements

Using beak color trait: Statement 1a: The albatross has a yellow or orange beak. Statement 1b: The albatross does not have a yellow or orange beak.

Step2: Fill in the table

For set 1, 1a: Albatross has yellow/orange beak → Go to #2; 1b: Albatross does not have yellow/orange beak → Go to #3.

Step1: Analyze traits of these two

Look at plumage: Short - tailed has more white on wings, Wandering has more patterned/darker wing plumage.

Step2: Write statements

Statement 2a: The albatross has more white - dominated wing plumage (Short - tailed albatross). Statement 2b: The albatross has more patterned/darker wing plumage (Wandering albatross).

Answer:

One trait is beak color. Birds with yellow or orange beaks (Short - tailed albatross, Wandering albatross) and birds with non - yellow (e.g., gray, black - based) beaks (Shy albatross, Laysan albatross) can separate them into two groups of two.

Part B