15. Animal Ecophysiology

Question 1

Physiological Ecology

Answer 1

The study of physiology (how organisms acquire energy and nutrients) in the context of an organism’s ecology (environmental limits)

Question 2

Maximum/Minimum critical temperature

Answer 2

temperature at which the animal loses some kind of motor function (can’t walk)

Question 3

Poikilotherms

Answer 3

most reptiles, amphibians, fish,
Invertebrates

Question 4

Homeostasis

Answer 4

a self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions

Question 5

Radiation

Answer 5

Heat transfer by electromagnetic radiation

Question 6

Conduction

Answer 6

transfer by directed contact with substrate (feet lose heat to ground)

Question 7

Convection

Answer 7

heat transfer mediated by moving fluid

Question 8

Evaporation

Answer 8

Efficient cooling from wet surfaces

Question 9

Redistribution

Answer 9

Circulatory system redistributes heat among body parts esp. core to appendages

Question 10

Bergmann’s rule

Answer 10

Homeotherms tend to be larger at higher latitudes (colder)

Question 11

Allen’s rule

Answer 11

Homeotherms tends to have smaller appendages at high, colder latitudes (arctic and desert hares)

Question 12

Trade-offs

Answer 12

Being good at x may necessarily imply being bad at y

Question 13

Constraints

Answer 13

Selection builds on what is already there, especially existing developmental programs
(Tinkering, yes; fundamentally fresh redesign, no)

Question 14

Other forms of heat balance

Answer 14

1) Insulation
2) hair and feathers can provide adjustable insulation
3) convective cooling enhanced by vascularization
4) Countercurrent circulation to the limbs
5) evaporative cooling