Lecture 11 Flashcards
Define epigean
An animal which lives on or near the surface
Define adaptation
A change in population of animals altering fitness
Define hypogean
An animal which lives underground
Define troglobite
Animals which permanently live in caves
Define troglophile
Animals which can live in or out of caves
Define troglohexene
Animals which must leave a cave to eat
What three things do physiological adaptations allow?
Improved interaction with their environment
Better maintenance if internal homeostasis
Coping with intermittent food sources
How have cows adapted to digest cellulose?
They have four stomachs
How have camels adapted to the desert?
Fat stores are concentrated in the hump to minimise the insulating effect
Oval blood cells go withstand osmotic variation
Kidneys and intestine are able to reabsorb maximal amounts of water
How do wood frogs use glucose?
A a cryoprotectant
How does a manatee remain underwater for 20 minutes?
They slow their heart rate when diving
Their lung’s retain 90% of oxygen in each breath
How have Astyanax mexicanus adapted to cave life?
They have no eyes
Altered jaw shape to scoop off the cave floor
No pigmentation
Lateral line sensitized
Why might cave fish have evolved to have no eyes?
No use for them
Loss of tissue might prevent potential damage
Loss of tissue might reduce metabolic costs
How would troglobites find food in caves?
There are no primary producers therefore they must rely upon food being washed in and animal droppings
What is the lateral line in fishes?
A line of hair cells and neuromasts which detect vibration to compliment their visual system and aid balance.
