Eulipotyphla

Question 1

What are the characteristics of the organisms in this group ?

Answer 1

Primitive, due to retention of ancestral eutherian features

Question 2

Describe the eutherian brain.

Answer 2

It is small, with a smooth cerebrum

Question 3

They are nocturnal. True or false ?

Answer 3

True, they have poor vision.

Question 4

Describe the dental adaption of the Eulipotyphla

Answer 4

Many teeth, generally 44.

This is a retention of the ancestral eutherians.

Question 5

Give 3 characteristics of the reproductive organs

Answer 5

Cloaca- Gametes, urine, faeces
True Placenta
Intra-abdominal testes- no scrotum (external sac)

Question 6

What is the dental trend in most mammals ?

Answer 6

A decrease in teeth, Eulipotyphla buck this trend

Question 7

Give the issues associated with a high surface area to volume ration

Answer 7

Rapid loss of heat
Some organisms require almost continuous food.
High Respiration rate

Question 8

Give an example of a species with a particularly high surface area to volume ratio

Answer 8

Shrew
Consume own mass in insects and worms each day
High resp. rate= 5000 cu/kg/hr
Humans= 200 cu/kg/hr

Question 9

Give the families contained within this order.

Answer 9

Shrews
Solenodons
Hedgehogs and moon rats
Moles and Desmans

Question 10

How many sub families and species of shrew exist ?

Answer 10

3 sub families

384 species

Question 11

Why do shrews emit ultrasonic clicks ?

Answer 11

As a crude form of echolocation.

Question 12

Give the diet of shrews

Answer 12

Insects and other invertebrates

Venomous bite- enables immobilisation of larger items, frog,

Question 13

Give the smallest terrestrial mammal and its weight

Answer 13

Pygmy white toothed shrew, 2g

Question 14

Give a similarity between shrews and Solenodons.

Answer 14

Both in the order Eulipotyphla
Crude echolocation
Toxic saliva to immobilise prey

Question 15

What is special about the snout of the Hispaniola Solenodon ?

Answer 15

Cartilaginous snout

Articulates with the skull via a ball and socket joint

Question 16

List the threats to the critically endangered Solenodon.

Answer 16

introduction of rats, cats, dogs
Introduction of mongoose as bio control
Forest clearance

Question 17

How many species of moon rat and hedgehog exist ?

Answer 17

24 species

Question 18

What are the spines of a hedgehog made from ?

Answer 18

They are modified hairs

Contraction of muscles at the base enable erection of spines

Question 19

Give the disadvantages of spines to hedgehogs

Answer 19

Unable to effectively groom- covered in parasites.

Can be eaten by badgers and owls.

Question 20

Temperate species of hedgehog are Heterothermic,

Explain this.

Answer 20

Mirror the environmental conditions
Reduce oxygen requirement to 2% of active level
Reduce heart rate 250bpm to 10bpm

Question 21

How many species of moles and desmans exist ?

Answer 21

42 species,
40 moles
2 desmans

Question 22

Give the main habitat niches of moles and desmans.

Answer 22

Moles- subterranean

Desmans- aquatic

Question 23

Why do moles tunnel ?

Answer 23

To enable worms and invertebrates to fall into the tunnels and be consumed

Question 24

What does it say about the soil content if the mole tunnels are larger ?

Answer 24

The soil content is poor

Question 25

Describe the sensory organs of moles.

Answer 25

Poor vision
Eimers organs (sensory) on muzzles
Vibrissae (whiskers) on muzzles, tails and legs of desmans.

Question 26

Give an example of a vey well adapted mole

Answer 26

Star nosed mole
Well adapted nose for feeling.
Can smell under water, using bubbles.