Topic 4C- Biodiversity and conservation

Question 1

(b) Another fish found in the Maldives is Paraluteres prionurus. This fish is not poisonous. It grows to about 10 cm in length. The photograph shows Paraluteres prionurus. Explain how the appearance of Paraluteres prionurus shows it is adapted to its habitat. (3)

Answer 1

• mimics the Canthigaster Valenti by having similar markings (1)
• mimics the Canthigaster Valenti by having a similar size. (1)
• therefore it still deters predators even though it does not produce poison (1)

Question 2

(c) Explain why Canthigaster valenti and Paraluteres prionurus are unable to reproduce with each other. (2)

Answer 2

• because they are different species (1)
• therefore cannot produce fertile offspring (1)

Question 3

4 The photograph shows a Baird’s tapir.
(a) Baird’s tapir is endemic to countries in Central America.
State what is meant by the term endemic.
(1)

Answer 3

restricted to a particular area

Question 4

(ii) Explain how human activity, other than hunting, could have caused this decrease in the number of Baird’s tapirs. (3)

Answer 4

• because of habitat destruction, there is no food (1)
• because of habitat destruction, there is no shelter (1)
• fragmentation of habitat makes it harder to find a mate (1)
• therefore, there is a decrease in genetic diversity (1)

Question 5

*5 Several species of giant tortoises have evolved on the Galápagos Islands. The saddleback tortoise and the domed tortoise are two species found on different islands in the Galápagos.The table below gives some information about these tortoises and the islands where each is found. Using the information in the table, and your own knowledge, explain why these two species of tortoise are found on different islands. (6)

Answer 5

• variations (between tortoises) due to mutations.
• individuals with advantageous alleles pass these alleles on to offspring.
• {climate / food availability / environment} are different selection pressures on different islands.
• saddleback is smaller as food is limited.
• saddleback tortoise has long neck for reaching food.
• so saddleback can survive (in dry habitat) where there is limited food near the ground.
• saddleback outcompeted by the larger domed tortoise where there is a lot of vegetation near the ground.