Species ranges Flashcards
What makes species vulnerable to extinction?
- Rare species
- Long-lived species
- Delayed sexual maturity
- Low fecundity
- Reliance on high juvenile survival - Species dependent on keystone species (E.g., the Brazil nut tree depends on a specific bee pollinator and rodent).
What is a species range?
Total area a species occurs
What is a home range?
Area an individual uses to survive and reproduce.
What is a habitat?
Areas that supply food, water, shelter, breeding sites, and protection.
How does temperature affect species?
Directly - Physiological
Indirectly - Availability of resources
How are distributions often correlated with isotherms?
- Areas of marine productivity
- Galapagos penguins at the equator due to the cold Humboldt current
What species is cold limiting for?
Four North American birds that reside in the north circle year round.
- Raven
- Rock ptarmigan
- Snowy owl
-Hoary redpoll
Amphibians and reptiles.
What is distribution determined by in cold temperatures?
Hibernation sites
What are various adaptions to cold temperatures?
Hibernation (ground squirrels in winter)
Topor in bears and hummingbirds.
Describe some adaptations animals have to high temperatures.
Behavioural (E.g., staying in the shade)
Switch of diet from grasses to forbs
Coat color and structure can reduce heat loads
Sweating/ panting
How do Caribou adapt to lack of water in cold, desert areas?
Recycle nitrogen to reduce the production of urine.
How is range affected by day length and seasonality?
Northern ranges are determined by season length - days available for breeding above a certain temperature.
Southern boundary limited by day length - number of hours available to feed themselves and young.
What is the importance of photoperiod?
- This increases signals to start breeding in birds.
- Decrease triggers rutting in caribou
- Wildebeast synchronizes concepts with photoperiod
