Quantitative data or qualitative data? Hypothesis or Theory?

1. Quantitative data or qualitative data? Hypothesis or Theory?

2. A new species was recently discovered in Lake Xochimilco, an an underground lake that lies deep below Mexico City. This strange animal is called the Axolotl.

3. As you are given information about the axolotl, decide whether each statement is: • A hypothesis (a possible idea, not yet proven) • A theory (a well-supported hypothesis that has been tested many times under different conditions) • Quantitative data (data that can be counted) • Qualitative data (data that cannot be counted)

4. Like frogs, the axolotl possesses both gills and lungs, making it an amphibian.

5. Researchers have suggested that it is a distant cousin of the tiger salamander.

6. A fully grown Axolotl ranges in length from 6-12 inches, though individuals measuring 18 inches have been found.

7. Axolotl possess features typical of young salamanders, including external gills. Their heads are wide, and their eyes have no lids.

8. As with other amphibians, their gills are lined with filaments to increase surface area for gas exchange.

9. Since Axolotl teeth are very tiny, their primary method of feeding is thought to be suction.

10. Axolotl may be "wildtype" (varying shades of brown), melanoid (black), leucistic (pale pink with black eyes) and albino (golden, tan or pale pink with pink eyes).

11. Research has shown than wild axolotls, like many other native animals, are near extinctiondue to urbanization in Mexico City and polluted waters.

12. Another reason why Axolotl are disappearing may be due to the introduction of non-native fish, such as Asian carp, into their habitat. These fish eat the Axolotl’s young.

13. Conservationist groups consider the Axolotl to be critically endangered, estimating that only a few hundred still live in the wild.

14. Like frogs, the axolotl possesses both gills and lungs, making it an amphibian. Theory: Being an “amphibian” is not a hypothesis. This is a well-supported idea with many examples.

15. Researchers have suggested that it is a distant cousin of the tiger salamander. Hypothesis: the word “suggests” means that this is not yet a proven idea.

16. A fully grown Axolotl ranges in length from 6-12 inches, though individuals measuring 18 inches have been found. Quantitative data: inches are a unit of measurement that can be counted.

17. Axolotl possess features typical of young salamanders, including external gills. Their heads are wide, and their eyes have no lids. Qualitative data: descriptive features cannot be counted.

18. As with other amphibians, their gills are lined with filaments to increase surface area for gas exchange. Theory: the filaments are found all amphibian species, and always do the same job.

19. Since Axolotl teeth are very tiny, their primary method of feeding is thought to be suction. Hypothesis: “thought to be” indicates that this is not yet a proven idea.

20. Axolotl may be "wildtype" (varying shades of brown), melanoid (black), leucistic (pale pink with black eyes) and albino (golden, tan or pale pink with pink eyes). Qualitative data: color cannot be counted.

21. Research has shown than wild axolotls, like many other species in the area, are disappearing due to urbanization in Mexico City and polluted waters. Theory: it is a proven idea because it has already been researched with other species.

22. Another reason why Axolotl are disappearing may be due to the introduction of non-native fish, such as Asian carp, into their habitat. These new fish eat the Axolotl’s young. Hypothesis: “may be due” indicates that this idea is not yet proven.

23. Conservationist groups consider the Axolotl to be critically endangered, estimating that only a few hundred still live in the wild. Quantitative data: number of individuals can be counted