Unit 3 Exam Flashcards
Name and describe the four membranes found in the amniotic egg
a. Chorion membrane- allows gas exchange, but retains water
b. Amnion- encases embryo in fluid
c. Yolk sac- provides food for the embryo
d. Allantois- surrounds waste cavity to prevent embryonic environment from becoming toxic
Define Circadian rhythm
Pattern of activity and inactivity over the course of a day
Name the reptilian orders
Squamata - lizards and snakes
Testudines - turtles, tortoises
Rhynocephalian- primitive 3rd eye
Crocodilia - alligators, crocodiles, gharials
What’s the difference between alligators and crocodiles?
a. Crocodiles have one, large tooth pointing upwards that is easily distinguishable, alligators do not
Characteristics of class Aves
- Feathers
- Light, fused bones
- Efficient respiration and circulation (four-chambered heart and ventilation
- Endothermic
Name and describe the bird orders
Passeriformes - perching birds
Falconiformes - falcons
Accipitriformes - eagles, hawks
Strigiformes - owls
Anseriformes - ducks, geese, swans
Galliformes - turckey, quail, pheasant, partridge, grouse
Which bird order has the most terrestrial species?
Passeriformes
What is a lek?
A communal, promiscuous breeding ground where a group of males gather to attract females. The most dominant male get the best territory
Characteristics of class mammalia
a. Hair and milk
b. 4 chambered heart
c. Endothermic
d. muscular diaphragm
Hindgut vs foregut fermenters
Hindgut fermenters - probiotic bacteria found in enlarged cecum and colon
Foregut fermenters - cellulose-digesting bacteria found in stomach, cud regurgitated. Have a rumen
What the difference between a horn and an antler
Horn - bony structure with keratin shell, not normally shed
Antler - bony structure. Forms with skin and fur on the outside that eventually fall off. Annually shed
Define Eutheria
Latin for “true mammals”
Name two groups of venomous mammals
Echidna, platypus (prototheria, order monotermata)
Which mammalian order has the most species?
rodentia
What is the largest rodent?
Capybara
What does chiroptera mean?
Latin for wing hand
Name the different types of mating systems
a. Monogamy- individuals have one sexual partner either for life or for the duration of the mating season
b. Polyandry- One female mates with multiple males
c. Polygyny- one male mates with multiple females
Whats the difference between obligate and faculative mating systems
In facultative monogamy, monogamous pairs only occur when resources are poor. In obligate monogamy, a species will be monogamous no matter the external conditions
Name and define the 6 types of interspecific associations
a. Mutualism – both individuals benefit from the interaction. Ex plants and mycorrhizae
b. Predation/parasitism – One individual benefits from the interaction the other is negatively affected. Ex. bear and salmon
c. Commensalism – one individual is benefitted while there is no effect on the other. Ex. cowbirds and buffalo
d. Competition – Both individuals are negatively affected by the interaction. Ex. lion and hyena
e. Ammensalism – One species is not affected by the interaction while the other is harmed. Ex. Deer stepping on an ant
f. Neutralism – Interaction has no effect on either species. Ex. Barnacle and a shorebird
What are some adaptations related to predation
Animals:
- Teeth
- Spines
- Cryptic coloration (camouflage)
- Mimicry
Plants:
- Thorns
- Tannins
- Silica
What are the two types of mimcry
Batesian mimicry - a dangerous or harmful individual is mimicked by a harmless one
Mullerian mimicry - two unrelated harmful or dangerous individuals closely resemble each other
Define aposematic
Aposematism - displaying warning colorations to predators
What are three types of competition?
a. Exploitative- Competition results from a race to get to a limited resource first
b. Interference – competition results from one species preventing another from having access to a resource
c. Apparent – Indirect competition mediated through a third species
Define niche
Niche is the role of an animal in an ecosystem
Costs and benefits of group living
Benefits to group living:
a. Decreased predation
b. increased likelihood of finding a mate
c. Working together to hunt
Costs:
a. Less resource availability
b. Competition for mates
c. Increase spread of disease
Does true altruism exist in nature?
No
Define reprocity
sharing behavior occurring between individuals. Sharing only occurs if reciprocated. i.e. if you share with me, I’ll share with you
Define kin selection theory
An animal is more likely to engage in altruistic behavior if it is more closely related to others. Natural selection favors altruistic behavior in this case because individual fitness decreases, but inclusive fitness increases
What are the four modes of communication discussed in class?
a. smell – pheromones communicate identity and sexual state, more common in polygamous species. Ex insects finding mates
b. sound – can travel longer distances than other modes. Ex dispersing wolves finding a range
c. vision – short-distance mode of communication. Ex tail flagging
d. tactile – communication through grooming. Ex primates grooming
Describe agonistic behavior
Can be offensive, defensive, submissive, territorial
- dominance behavior
-dominant males will have the most access to food and mates
Sneaker male strategy - act as a female to be protected by a bigger male and gain access to females
Describe echolocation
Echolocation uses reflected sound waves to detect prey. Used by bats, whales and insectivores.
When using echolocation, __short___ (long/short) sound wavelengths are best for catching smaller prey.
Describe mule deer dispersal
Male and female deer disperse at the same rate, suggesting that this trait is learned from the mother. Babies stay with the mother until they are driven off when she has more babies. Some exhibit migratory behavior, some do not.
Dispersal and Migration patterns
Brief migrant - migrates for a short time
Asynchronous migrant - migrates at an unusual time of year
Gradual migrant - migrates gradually
Commuting migrate - migrates to and from migration range multiple times
Multi-range migrant (1 trip) - has multiple ranges it stays in over the period of one migration event
Multi-range migrant (>1 trip) - Has multiple ranges it visits on multiple trips
Describe ranging behavior
Ranging - forays outside the home range usually in search of suitable mates
Natal dispersal - movement from a natal site to a site where repro occurs (typically sex biased)
Describe Type 1, 2, and 3 survivorship curves
Type 1 - humans and other large mammals, high survivorship rates throughout childhood and middle-age, rapid decline in later life
Type 2 - Roughly constant survival probability is experienced regardless of age. Birds
Type 3 - Greatest mortality early in life, with relatively low rates of death for those surviving this bottleneck. Oysters
Proximate vs ultimate causes of migration / dispersal
Proximate causes
a) forced out by parents or social group
b) involuntary response to increased testosterone
Ultimate causes
a) avoidance of inbreeding
b) reduction of competition with relatives
c) Increased access to potential mates
Describe the theory of ideal free distribution
Theory states that individuals in a population will occupy the highest quality habitat until a threshold is reached where fitness is increased by moving into a lower quality, less populated habitat
