Animal Taxonomy & Diversity

Question 1

What is a taxonomic unit called?

Answer 1

Taxon.

Question 2

What is taxonomy (or systematics)?

Answer 2

Theories and techniques of naming, describing, and classifying organisms.

Question 3

Define the two subfields of taxonomy.

Answer 3

Taxinomy: study of the laws of classification.

Taxionomy: application of the principles of taxinomy.

Question 4

What is the hierarchy of biological classification?

Answer 4

Phylum (phyla) → Class → Order → Family → Genus (genera) → Species → Sub-species

Question 5

What element of taxonomy is considered to be due to artificial selection?

Answer 5

Breeds, strains, mutations.

Question 6

Describe vertebrate taxonomy.

Answer 6

Chordata → Craniata → Vertebrata → Jawless fish; Cartilaginous fish; Bony fish; Amphibians; Reptiles; Birds; Mammals

Question 7

Amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are considered what distinct term from fish? What does it mean?

Answer 7

Tetrapods. Separates four-legged vertebrates and descendants from fish.

Question 8

What are amniotes and anamniotes? What vertebrates fall into each?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What do poikilothermic and homeothermic mean? What vertebrates fall into each?

Answer 9

Poikilothermic: ectothermic, external thermoregulation. Includes fish, amphibians, reptiles.

Homeothermic: endothermic, internal thermoregulation. Includes birds and mammals.

Question 10

Assumptions on taxa used to be based on what? What allowed their refinement?

Answer 10

Phenotypes.

Molecular genetics.

Question 11

What species provide evidence of brain variation in fish?

Answer 11

Rays, skates, and ancient group of sharks have bigger brain and higher cognitive ability. Capable of what may be self-awareness and demonstrate thoughtfulness.

Question 12

Describe the brain of electric fish.

Answer 12

Biggest brain (proportionately) in fish. Cerebellum wraps around head, used for electromagnetism and social behaviour.

Question 13

Describe the reproductive cycle of most fish.

Answer 13

Female stimulated, releases eggs → male releases sperm → fish leave eggs.

Question 14

Describe the reproductive cycle of the stickleback.

Answer 14

Male builds hut for female to impress → female likes home, releases eggs → female leaves → male releases sperm, guards eggs until birth.

Question 15

What is unique about the seahorse regarding parental care?

Answer 15

Most paternal care among fish. Males do almost all reproductive work, monogamous.

Question 16

What is a motive for father mammals to stay to help raise offspring?

Answer 16

Mortality rate may increase if male leaves.

Question 17

List three similarities between reptiles and birds.

Answer 17

Eggs, vestigial similarities (e.g., bird legs), behaviours (e.g., crocodiles like birds have higher paternal care and protect nest).

Question 18

What is genealogy?

Answer 18

Direct ancestry.

Question 19

Reptiles/birds fall under what group?

Answer 19

Sauropsida.

Question 20

What groups are considered “lower” vertebrates?

Answer 20

Agnatha, cartilaginous fish, bony fish, amphibians, reptiles.

Question 21

The origin of some of our behaviours (sensorimotor, sexual, social, etc.) can potentially be traced through an examination of the _____.

Answer 21

“Lower” vertebrates.

Question 22

Our “lineage” excludes birds. As a class, they represent an “offshoot” of what?

Answer 22

Reptiles.

Question 23

What is agnatha?

Answer 23

Fish group consisting of lampreys and hagfish.

Question 24

What are chondrichthyes?

Answer 24

Cartilaginous fish.

Question 25

What are osteichthyes?

Answer 25

Bony fish.

Question 26

What are the two subgroups of osteichthyes?

Answer 26

Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes): Dipnomorpha (lungfishes), coelacanths.

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).

Question 27

Chondrosteans = \_\_\_\_\_
Holosteans = \_\_\_\_\_
Teleosts = \_\_\_\_\_

Answer 27

Primitive.

Intermediate.

Advanced.

Question 28

What is the dominant sub-class of modern fishes?

Answer 28

Teleosts.

Question 29

Amphibians evolved from what? What challenges this?

Answer 29

Dipnomorpha (lungfishes). Challenged by recent paleontological findings.

Question 30

What are the three sub-classes of amphibians?

Answer 30

Anoura: frogs & toads.

Urodela: salamanders & newts.

Gymnophiona: caecilians (legless, earthworm-like).

Question 31

What are the three main sub-classes of reptiles?

Answer 31

Chelonia: turtles & tortoises.

Lepidosauria.

Archosauria: Crocodilia: alligators & crocodiles.

Question 32

Snakes make up _____ whereas lizards make up _____.

Answer 32

Ophidia; sauria.

Question 33

Birds evolved from what? What does this group encompass?

Answer 33

Diapsids. Groups dinosaurs and all modern reptiles.

Question 34

What are the three sub-classes of mammals?

Answer 34

Prototheria.

Metatheria (marsupials).

Eutheria (placentals).

Question 35

What are three critical orders of placentals?

Answer 35

Primates: monkeys and apes, including humans.

Rodentia (rodents): 40.8% of all mammals.

Carnivora (carnivores): cats, dogs, bears, otters, skunks, etc.

Question 36

What two orders make up the ungulates?

Answer 36

Perissodactyla: horses, rhinos, tapirs.

Artiodactyla: antelopes, giraffes, camels, pigs, hippos, etc.

Question 37

Describe the former and current perspectives on primate classification.

Answer 37

Former: prosimii; anthropoidea → platyrhinii (New World monkeys), catarhinii (Old World monkeys and apes).

Current: strepsirhini (primitive, mainly nocturnal primates); haplorhini (modern, mainly diurnal primates).

Question 38

What are the three main families in haplorhini?

Answer 38

Callitrichidae: marmosets, tamarin.

Hylobatidae: gibbons, often called “lesser apes.”

Hominidae: great apes & humans.

Question 39

Describe the former and current perspectives on carnivora classification.

Answer 39

Former: pinnipeds (sea carnivores); fissipeds (land carnivores).

Current: dog-like; cat-like.

Question 40

Describe the former and current perspectives on rodentia classification.

Answer 40

Former: mouse-like; squirrel-like; porcupine-like.

Current: squirrel-like and mouse-like; porcupine-like.

Question 41

What can determine when and where a reptile is found?

Answer 41

Weather.

Question 42

The brain you see in birds today stems from what?

Answer 42

Reptiles.

Question 43

What is unique about newts amongst amphibians?

Answer 43

Have aquatic then terrestrial phase, then back to aquatic when older.

Question 44

What are the three main sub-groups of birds?

Answer 44

Corvids: ravens, jays, magpies, highly intelligent.

Psittacids: typically pet birds (parrots, parakeets).

Sturnids: highly intelligent.

Question 45

What was the rationale for the former perspective of carnivora?

Answer 45

Initially thought due to morphology/anatomy.

Question 46

Who is the best boyfriend in the world?

Answer 46

You