Animal Taxonomy & Diversity Flashcards
What is a taxonomic unit called?
Taxon.
What is taxonomy (or systematics)?
Theories and techniques of naming, describing, and classifying organisms.
Define the two subfields of taxonomy.
Taxinomy: study of the laws of classification.
Taxionomy: application of the principles of taxinomy.
What is the hierarchy of biological classification?
Phylum (phyla) → Class → Order → Family → Genus (genera) → Species → Sub-species
What element of taxonomy is considered to be due to artificial selection?
Breeds, strains, mutations.
Describe vertebrate taxonomy.
Chordata → Craniata → Vertebrata → Jawless fish; Cartilaginous fish; Bony fish; Amphibians; Reptiles; Birds; Mammals
Amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are considered what distinct term from fish? What does it mean?
Tetrapods. Separates four-legged vertebrates and descendants from fish.
What are amniotes and anamniotes? What vertebrates fall into each?
Amniotes: embryo develops with set of protective features. Reptiles, birds, mammals fall into category.
Anamniotes: lack of amnion during fetal life, allowing exchange with surrounding water. Fish fall into this category.
What do poikilothermic and homeothermic mean? What vertebrates fall into each?
Poikilothermic: ectothermic, external thermoregulation. Includes fish, amphibians, reptiles.
Homeothermic: endothermic, internal thermoregulation. Includes birds and mammals.
Assumptions on taxa used to be based on what? What allowed their refinement?
Phenotypes.
Molecular genetics.
What species provide evidence of brain variation in fish?
Rays, skates, and ancient group of sharks have bigger brain and higher cognitive ability. Capable of what may be self-awareness and demonstrate thoughtfulness.
Describe the brain of electric fish.
Biggest brain (proportionately) in fish. Cerebellum wraps around head, used for electromagnetism and social behaviour.
Describe the reproductive cycle of most fish.
Female stimulated, releases eggs → male releases sperm → fish leave eggs.
Describe the reproductive cycle of the stickleback.
Male builds hut for female to impress → female likes home, releases eggs → female leaves → male releases sperm, guards eggs until birth.
What is unique about the seahorse regarding parental care?
Most paternal care among fish. Males do almost all reproductive work, monogamous.
What is a motive for father mammals to stay to help raise offspring?
Mortality rate may increase if male leaves.
List three similarities between reptiles and birds.
Eggs, vestigial similarities (e.g., bird legs), behaviours (e.g., crocodiles like birds have higher paternal care and protect nest).
What is genealogy?
Direct ancestry.
Reptiles/birds fall under what group?
Sauropsida.
What groups are considered “lower” vertebrates?
Agnatha, cartilaginous fish, bony fish, amphibians, reptiles.
The origin of some of our behaviours (sensorimotor, sexual, social, etc.) can potentially be traced through an examination of the _____.
“Lower” vertebrates.
Our “lineage” excludes birds. As a class, they represent an “offshoot” of what?
Reptiles.
What is agnatha?
Fish group consisting of lampreys and hagfish.
What are chondrichthyes?
Cartilaginous fish.
What are osteichthyes?
Bony fish.
What are the two subgroups of osteichthyes?
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes): Dipnomorpha (lungfishes), coelacanths.
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Chondrosteans = \_\_\_\_\_ Holosteans = \_\_\_\_\_ Teleosts = \_\_\_\_\_
Primitive.
Intermediate.
Advanced.
What is the dominant sub-class of modern fishes?
Teleosts.
Amphibians evolved from what? What challenges this?
Dipnomorpha (lungfishes). Challenged by recent paleontological findings.
What are the three sub-classes of amphibians?
Anoura: frogs & toads.
Urodela: salamanders & newts.
Gymnophiona: caecilians (legless, earthworm-like).
What are the three main sub-classes of reptiles?
Chelonia: turtles & tortoises.
Lepidosauria.
Archosauria: Crocodilia: alligators & crocodiles.
Snakes make up _____ whereas lizards make up _____.
Ophidia; sauria.
Birds evolved from what? What does this group encompass?
Diapsids. Groups dinosaurs and all modern reptiles.
What are the three sub-classes of mammals?
Prototheria.
Metatheria (marsupials).
Eutheria (placentals).
What are three critical orders of placentals?
Primates: monkeys and apes, including humans.
Rodentia (rodents): 40.8% of all mammals.
Carnivora (carnivores): cats, dogs, bears, otters, skunks, etc.
What two orders make up the ungulates?
Perissodactyla: horses, rhinos, tapirs.
Artiodactyla: antelopes, giraffes, camels, pigs, hippos, etc.
Describe the former and current perspectives on primate classification.
Former: prosimii; anthropoidea → platyrhinii (New World monkeys), catarhinii (Old World monkeys and apes).
Current: strepsirhini (primitive, mainly nocturnal primates); haplorhini (modern, mainly diurnal primates).
What are the three main families in haplorhini?
Callitrichidae: marmosets, tamarin.
Hylobatidae: gibbons, often called “lesser apes.”
Hominidae: great apes & humans.
Describe the former and current perspectives on carnivora classification.
Former: pinnipeds (sea carnivores); fissipeds (land carnivores).
Current: dog-like; cat-like.
Describe the former and current perspectives on rodentia classification.
Former: mouse-like; squirrel-like; porcupine-like.
Current: squirrel-like and mouse-like; porcupine-like.
What can determine when and where a reptile is found?
Weather.
The brain you see in birds today stems from what?
Reptiles.
What is unique about newts amongst amphibians?
Have aquatic then terrestrial phase, then back to aquatic when older.
What are the three main sub-groups of birds?
Corvids: ravens, jays, magpies, highly intelligent.
Psittacids: typically pet birds (parrots, parakeets).
Sturnids: highly intelligent.
What was the rationale for the former perspective of carnivora?
Initially thought due to morphology/anatomy.
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