1. Introduction: Cheetah Morphology, Evolution, And Phylogeny

Question 1

Describe the evolution of a cheetah.

Answer 1

1. Limbs come from fish vertebrae
2. Pelvic girdle becomes fused to vertebral column from tetrapods (primitive amphibians)
3. Rotation of the knee/elbow, an erect posture are from mammals
4. Being digitigrade (walking on toes) from carnivores
5. Retractable claws come from cats
6. Semi-retractable claws evolved from cheetah

Question 2

What are some other adaptations in comparison to other cats?

Answer 2

l-fur pigmentation
2- stride length, long + thin limbs particularly in distal (back) end
3- speed + acceleration: lightweight, slender and muscular body
4-(air capacity): wide nostrils, large heart & lung with high functional capacity

Question 3

What is a cheetah?

Answer 3

A cheetah is characterized by few evolutionary traits which distinguishes it from other cat species
→ 99% of features are from ancestors from 3500 myr of evolution
→ 1% of features unique to itself
Characteristics:
-scapula (pectoral girdle) slides onto the sides of the ribcage, is not directly attached to the vertebral column and its detached from skull
-rib cage/muscle sling acts as shock absorber: to keep vital organs intact
-tail prevents sliding and keeps body balanced
-pelvis (pelvic girdle) is fused to the vertebral column and functions as propulsion mechanism acting as motor and its main function is generating speed specifically acceleration
-skeletal structure is very fragile therefore its unable to defend/protect itself must only protect its speed
-knee rotation account for support and speed

Question 4

Why is genetic variability important? Discuss royal cheetah, genetic variability of cheetah, and what can we assume about what happened?

Answer 4

→ ie. royal cheetah not new species its coloration pattern is only a mutation
• cheetahs are under threat due to no genetic variability: evolution only works with genetic variability
→ ie. if a disease breaks out all cheetahs in a zoo will die because genetically similar however if a disease breaks out a good portion of human population will not die because of genetic variability (ie. flu-some people will always get the flu while some never get theft)
- why? no genetic variability?
we can ASSUME: Scenario: POPULATION BOTTLENECK
↳ assumption that climate change glaciation majority of cheetahs died only few cheetahs
lived i. genetic makeup of cheetah was limited = bottleneck effect

Question 5

Provide an example of convergent evolution.

Answer 5

→ CONVERGENT EVOLUTION: no reason for pronghorn to have speed of 95 km/hr, realization
of fossils similar to bone structure of cheetah = arms race for speed (how cheetahs became fast)
‘american cheetah’ is the predator to allow for pronghorn’s speed