Week 6 Flashcards
!Family Manidae (Pangolins) distribution
Africa and Asia
!Why Xenarthrans are grouped together
They have an xenarthrous (extra) articular surface in the lumbar vertebrae - which may aid in digging.
All lack incisors and canines.
Molars (if present) are simple without enamel.
They all have a clavicle bone.
Family Manidae (Pangolins) characteristics
Tongue
Tail
Limbs
*Tongue Very long for eating termites *Tail Long and often prehensile *Limbs Powerful forelimbs and large claws for digging termite nests
!How to distinguish an Asian from African pangolin?
Asian pangolins have hairs at the base of there scales
!Family Manidae (Pangolins) human interaction
Hunted for food and thought to have medicinal properties (e.g the scales).
Habitat destruction.
!Sub-order Folivora (sloths) distribution
South America
Sub-order Folivora (sloths) characteristics.
Lifestyle
Limbs
Metabolism
*Lifestyle
Arboreal
*Limbs
Suspensary body plan (to hang from trees).
*Metabolism
Low metabolism and body temp due to low calorie leaf diet.
!Sub-order Folivora (sloths) skull morphology
Short rostrum
Incomplete zygomatic arch
!Sub-order Folivora (sloths) dentition
Continuously growing
Cylindrical
Homodont
!2 toed sloths front molars
Have developed into a canine-like form (caniform molar)
!Sub-order Folivora (sloths) toes
3 toes on hind feet.
2 toed sloths have 2 toes on front foot.
3 toed sloths have 3 toes on hind foot.
!Sub-order Folivora (sloths) human interaction
Habitat distribution
Pet trade
!Family Myrmecophagidae (anteaters) distribution
South America
!Family Myrmecophagidae (anteaters) skull morphology
Long rostrum for long tongue
Incomplete zygomatic arch
Family Myrmecophagidae (anteaters) dentition
Edentate for sucking up termites
Family Myrmecophagidae (anteaters) other characteristics.
Tail
Limbs/claws
*Tail
Long and prehensile in 3/4 species
*Limbs/claws
Powerful forelimbs with large claws for defense and digging termite nests.
!Silky anteaters unique characteristics?
Additional joint in the sole of the foot used for extra grip on branches
!Family Myrmecophagidae (anteaters) human interaction
Hunted for food and pelts
Habitat loss
Roadkill
!Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) distribution
South America
Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) what classifies them?
Scutes!
They haVe bony scutes of dermal origin.
Dermal scales
!Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) defensive behaviour
Roll into a ball
!Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) skull morphology
Incomplete zygomatic arch.
!Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) dentition
Homodont
Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) Post cranial skeleton
Adapted for digging.
Limb bones are larger for increased muscle attachment for power.
!Family Dasypodidae (armadillos) reproduction
Polyembryony - singe fertilised egg divides into many embryos