Galapagos Archipelago Flashcards
What was the geography/climate like on the Galapagos islands?
Volcanic, lots of craters, directly under the equator but not extremely hot because of the ocean/polar current, little rain. The vegetation and animals flourish at higher altitudes, this is where
the most plants were collected.
What was the staple food source of humans on the Galapagos islands?
Tortoises
Who does Darwin credit the diversity and intrigue of the Galapagos to?
Both the indigenous population and the remoteness of the island.
What type of terrestrial animal is indigenous to the Galapagos islands?
Just a mouse (Mus Galapaoensis) although Darwin is not convinced that this mouse didn’t just come from a merchant ship.
About how many distinct kinds of birds did Darwin observe in the Galapagos?
26 kinds, that were organized into 4 sub-groups.
What does Darwin notice about the Galapagos islands’ animal populations?
That the birds, insects, and plants are dull colored and have a desert character. He makes the conclusion that the tropical color of plants and animals in other areas are created no tby heat or light but by some other cause.
Why does Darwin think that there are lizards but not frogs on the Galapagos islands?
Because the lizards eggs have shells whereas the frogs have vulnerable egg spawn.
How do Galapagos locals deal with thirst if desperate?
Drink liquid from the bladder of a recently killed tortoise. The tortoises migrate at great lengths to spring water at higher altitudes.
How fast does a tortoise travel according to human observations?
four miles a day with time allocated to eating.
What conclusion does Darwin make about the origins of the Tortoise on the Galapagos islands?
He believes that the tortoise is indigenous to the island.
What animals are most prominent on the Galapagos islands?
Lizards, tortoises, birds, rats/mice.
What characteristics describe the Amblyrhynchus (Aquatic) an indigenous lizard of the Galapagos Island?
Two species on terrestrial one aquatic
- short broad head, strong claws a hideous looking creature dirty black color, stupid and sluggish in movements (Darwin doesn’t like them v much)
- no predators as Darwin could easily corral them and threw them into the ocean and the would return to his feet.
- Diet of seaweed found on the bottom of the ocean
- Good swimmers
What characteristics describe the Amblyrhynchus (Terrestrial) an indigenous lizard of the Galapagos islands?
-no webs on feet opposed to the aquatic one
-central part of island
-yellowish, “singularly stupid appearance” (Darwin doesn’t like these ones either)
- Inhabit burrows
-not aggressive and also easy to catch cause of the lack of predators
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How many new species of fish did Darwin discover at the Galapagos islands?
15
What were the four islands Darwin explored in the Galapagos?
James Island
Albermarle Island
Chatham Island
Charles Island
Of the islands which Darwin explored in the Galapagos, which one had the most diverse and productive flora?
James Island
-71 species 30 species confined to the island
To what factors does Darwin attribute the differences between species on each of the Galapagos islands?
The westerly direction of the wind that separates the northern islands from the southern islands
- the volcanic origin and that the islands were probably never connected
- the depths of the ocean between the islands
