Mammalian ecomorphs

Question 1

What forces have contributed to the distinctiveness of Australia’s mammal fauna?

Answer 1

Australian marsupials evolved in relative isolation, evolving to fill a variety of niches

Question 2

Ecomorphology

Answer 2

the way in which an animal’s form (its morphology) is related to its activities within its environment (its ecology)

Question 3

Convergent evolution

Answer 3

the process whereby organisms not closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches

Question 4

Ecological equivalents

Answer 4

unrelated organisms that occupy similar habitats and resemble each other.

Question 5

Example of convergent evolution

Answer 5

Streamlining - Shark, dolphin, penguin etc.

Ant-eaters
Convergent trends include:
•Changes in jaw and skull shape and strength
•Long snout and tongue
•Very narrow oral gape
•Reduction in the number and size of teeth
•Forelimbs modified for digging

Question 6

Natural selection

Answer 6

the differential reproductive success of individuals based on their genetic differences

traits that enhance survival and reproduction are selected for

Question 7

Sexual selection

Answer 7

members of one sex choose individuals of the other sex to mate with and compete with individuals of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex

e.g. mating calls ect..

Question 8

Artificial selection

Answer 8

intentional reproduction of individuals in a population that have desirable traits

can be used when traits have a genetic basis

used in agriculture, fishing, farm and pet animals

e.g. common grey wolf - thousands of dog species