Mammal Lab Flashcards
how are synapsids defined?
- the mammals fall into this group
- have one postorbital fenestra
in species where the postorbital bar is not present, there is a…
postorbital process
what does the postorbital fenestra allow for?
- a strong bite bc of muscle attachment
2. fine movement of the jaw
Important terms for the skull and their relevance:
- interparietal process
- sagittal crest
- postorbital process (know where it is)
- postorbital bar (know where it is)
- intraorbital foramen
- squamosal
- jugal
- zygomatic arch
- auditory bullae
- the interparietal process and sagittal crest are raised areas where the skull halves meet, which allows for the attachment of muscles
- the infraorbital foramen is a hole underneath the eye which allows nerves to run through it. It was originally important for sucking bc it allowed for fine-scale movement of facial muscles, however it inadvertantly became important for nonverbal communication and for whiskers (vivrissae) to pass through.
- the squamosal and jugal meet up to form the zygomatic arch, aka our cheekbones!
- the auditory bullae are associated with the inner ear and function to help us hear better
proper name for whiskers
vivrissae
why is teeth specialization important to mammals?
because we are warmblooded, we have to constantly regulate our metabolism which takes a lot of energy. therefore, we need to get the most out of the food we eat.
types of teeth
- Incisors: front-most teeth
- Canines: used to kill prey with puncture wounds
- Molariform teeth: flat with high surface area, whose grooves fit together to effectively mash food.
what is yawning behavior effective for?
detering competition or predators by showing off canines
molariform teeth are most developed in…
onmivores and herbivores
Subclass Theria
mammals with placentas (all the species in this lab)
Order Marsupial (and this labs species)
the marsupials: common opossum
Metatherians
marsupials
Eutheria
traditional “placentals” (all species in this lab except common opposum)
Order Lypothyphla (and this labs families)
the moles and shrews (Talpidae and Soricidae)
Family Talpidae (and this labs species)
moles: eastern mole
Family Soricidae
shrews: southern short-tailed shrew
Order Chiroptera (and this labs’ families)
the bats: Vespertilionidae and Molosidae
Family Vespertilionidae (and this labs species)
the evening bats: big brown bat
Family Molosidae (and this labs species)
the free-tailed bats: Brazilian free-tailed bat
Order Cingulata (and this labs’ families)
the armadillos: Dasypodidae
Family Dasypodidae (and this labs species)
the nine-banded armadillo
Order Lagomorpha (and this labs’ families)
the rabbits and hares: Leporidae
Family Leporidae
the rabbits: marsh rabbit
Order Rodentia (and this labs’ families)
the rodents: Scurnidae and Muridae
Family Scurnidae (and this labs species)
the squirrels and relatives: eastern gray squirrel and southern flying squirrel
Family Muridae (and this labs’ subfamilies)
the rats and mice: Subfamily Sigmodontidae and SF Murinae
Subfamily Sigmadontidae (and this labs species)
our native rats and mice: cotton rat and cotton mouse
Subfamily Murinae (and this labs species)
old world rats and mice: norway rat and house mouse
Order Carnivora (and this labs families)
the carnivorans: Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae, Felidae
Family Canidae (and this labs species)
- Gray Fox
- Coyote
Family Procyonidae (and this labs species)
the raccoons
Family Mustelidae (and this labs species)
the weasels and relatives: north american river otter
Family Felidae (and this labs species)
the cats, bobcats, lions, and relatives
-bobcat
Order Artiodactyla (and this labs families)
the even toed ungulates
Family Cervidae: deer and allies
Family Bovidae: cattle, antelope and allies
Family Cervidae (and this labs species)
deer and allies:
-white tailed deer
Family Bovidae (and this labs species)
cattle, antelope, and allies
-American bison
Order Cetacea (and this labs suborders)
whales and dolphins
Suborder Odontoceti
Suborder Mysticeti
Suborder Odontoceti
the toothed whales
-bottlenose dolphin
Suborder Mysticeti
the baleen whales
-humpback whale
