Lecture 1-4 (Quiz 1) Flashcards
(124 cards)
1
Q
What is a taxon?
A
Any group of animals that is recognized in a classification
2
Q
Define phenotype.
A
Physical characteristics
3
Q
What does genotype refer to?
A
Genetic make up
4
Q
What is phylogenetics?
A
The study of evolutionary history of life on Earth
5
Q
What is the goal of phylogenetic trees?
A
To represent how we believe organisms evolved and are related to each other
6
Q
What are cladograms?
A
Branching patterns that represent evolutionary relationships
7
Q
What is the purpose of cladeograms?
A
To organize organisms according to their ancestors
8
Q
Define homoplasies.
A
Superficially homologous traits independently acquired due to reasons other than common ancestry
9
Q
What are homologies?
A
Structures derived from a recent common ancestor; inherited traits indicating relatedness
10
Q
What are pleisiomorphic characteristics?
A
Characteristics that are present in the ancestor and still present; shared ancestral characteristics
11
Q
Define synapomorphic characteristics.
A
Characteristics that are unique to the group of interest
12
Q
What is Phenetics?
A
Numerical taxonomy that arranges organisms based on the highest number of similarities
Took off in the 1980s with the advent of computers but is considered outdated due to its limitations.
13
Q
What is a downside of Phenetics?
A
Includes homoplasies, which can misrepresent true relationships
Homoplasies refer to traits that are similar due to convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry.
14
Q
What is Cladistics?
A
A method of arranging organisms with an emphasis on genealogy to reduce the occurrence of homoplasies
Cladistics looks backward at the evolutionary history of organisms.
15
Q
Provide an example of Cladistics.
A
Class Birds in Reptiles
16
Q
What is Evolutionary Systematics?
A
The study of the diversity of organisms and the evolutionary processes that underlie it, focusing on more than genealogy
It prioritizes the extent of divergence among species.
17
Q
Provide an example of Evolutionary Systematics.
A
Class Birds
18
Q
What does Parsimony refer to in biological classification?
A
The simplest explanation or option
In taxonomy, parsimony seeks to reduce the number of evolutionary changes.
19
Q
How many extant mammal species are currently recognized?
A
6,640 extant mammals
20
Q
What is the only fixed unit in classification systems?
A
Species
Everything above species is subject to rejection or modification.
21
Q
True or False: In classification systems, everything above species is fixed.
A
False
22
Q
What is the Naming system?
A
Bionomial nomenclature system
23
Q
Who developed the bionomial nomenclature system and in what year?
A
Linnaeus in 1758
24
Q
What are the three parts of the bionomial nomenclature?
A
Genus, specific epithet, and authority
25
What does 'authority' refer to in the context of bionomial nomenclature?
The person that described the species
26
Provide an example of bionomial nomenclature.
Homo sapiens Linnaeus 1758
27
What does the notation 'Homo sapiens (Linnaeus 1758)' imply?
Linnaeus originally described the species but the name may have been changed by someone else
28
Why is Latin used for scientific names?
Because it is a universal and dead language
29
What is the ICZN?
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
30
What is the purpose of the ICZN?
To create, provide, and regulate rules on naming
31
What are the rules for naming under the ICZN?
1. It must be Latinized
2. Description
3. Type - example holotype
4.Geographic Range
5. Differential Diagnosis
6. Measurements
7. Remarks section
8. List of specimens examined
9. Distinguishing characteristics
10. Not anonymous
11. It can’t be a synonym or a homonym
32
What is a holotype?
A single specimen, designated by the author, upon which a description of a new species is based.
33
What are syntypes?
A series of specimens, designated by the author, upon which a description of a new species is based. (=COTYPES)
34
What is a neotype?
A substitute 'type' specimen designated by the original author or someone else if the original holotype or syntypes are lost or destroyed.
35
What is a lectotype?
A single specimen, picked from the original series of syntypes by the author or someone else, and used as the representative 'type' specimen.
36
What are paratypes?
The additional specimens collected at the 'type' location when the holotype was collected and examined by the author when the holotype was selected.
37
What are topotypes?
Any specimens collected at a later date at the 'type locality' (the location where the holotype or syntypes were collected).
38
What does Bergmann's Rule state?
Geographic races of endotherms tend to possess smaller body sizes in warmer portions of their range and larger body sizes in cooler climates.
39
What is the corollary to Bergmann's Rule?
Geographic races of ectotherms tend to possess larger body sizes in the warmer portions of their range and smaller body sizes in cooler climates.
40
What does Allen's Rule state?
The extremities of endotherms tend to be longer in warmer areas and shorter in cooler areas.
41
What does Gloger's Rule state?
Geographic races of endotherms tend to be darker in warm or humid areas and lighter in cooler areas.
42
What does Jordan's Rule state?
Fish living in warmer waters tend to be smaller and have fewer vertebrae than fish living in cooler water.
43
What does the 'clutch-size' rule state?
Geographic races of birds in warmer areas tend to have fewer eggs per clutch than races in cooler areas.
44
What are the two extant families of monotremes?
1. Ornithorhynchidae
2. Tachyglossidae
45
Are monotremes oviparous or viviparous?
Oviparous
46
Are monotremes ancestral to therians?
No
47
What type of valve do monotremes possess?
Incomplete right atrioventricular valve
48
What is lacking in monotremes that is important for complex thought?
Corpus callosum
49
What type of pectoral girdle do monotremes have?
Reptilian-like pectoral girdle
50
What is the name of the common opening for excretory and reproductive systems in monotremes?
Cloaca
51
How is sperm in monotremes described?
Reptile-like
52
How is the homothermic development in monotremes characterized?
Imperfectly developed
53
What type of chromosomes do monotremes possess?
Combination of macro and micro chromosomes
54
What unique skeletal feature do monotremes have?
Epipubic bones
55
What is the dental characteristic of adult monotremes?
No teeth (edentate)
56
What do male monotremes have on their rear ankle?
Horny-like spurs
57
What unique feature does the duck-billed platypus have?
Venom gland on spur
58
Which side of the reproductive tract is functional in monotremes?
Left side
59
What is a Protective shelled egg called
Cleidoic egg
60
What type of yolk placement do monotremes exhibit?
Meroblastic - placement of yolk to side
61
What type of young do platypuses have?
Altricial
## Footnote
Altricial young are born blind and underdeveloped.
62
What characterizes precocial young?
Well developed
## Footnote
Precocial young are more developed at birth compared to altricial young.
63
Define nitifugous.
Not tied much to natal site
## Footnote
Nitifugous species tend to leave their birthplace shortly after birth.
64
What does nidicolous mean?
Tied to nest for prolonged time
## Footnote
Nidicolous species remain in their nest for an extended period.
65
What term describes young platypuses?
Nidicolous
## Footnote
Young platypuses are tied to their nest for a prolonged time.
66
How many abdominal mammary glands do platypuses have?
Two
## Footnote
Platypuses have two abdominal mammary glands but lack nipples.
67
What is a unique feature of platypus nursing?
Pseudo nipple
## Footnote
The fur forms a tuft that acts as a pseudo nipple for young to nurse from.
68
How much higher is the iron content in milk from a platypus or echidna compared to other mammals?
60% higher
## Footnote
The milk from these species is significantly richer in iron.
69
What family do echidnas belong to?
Tachyglossidae
## Footnote
Tachyglossidae is the family name for echidnas.
70
What is the diet of Tachyglossidae species?
Myrmecophagus
## Footnote
Myrmecophagus species primarily feed on ants and termites or colonial insects.
71
What type of eater is a platypus?
Semi-aquatic omnivore
## Footnote
Platypuses have a diverse diet that includes both aquatic and terrestrial food.
72
Where did marsupials evolve before migrating to Australia?
South America
## Footnote
Marsupials migrated across Antarctica to reach Australia.
73
What percentage of marsupials are found in Australia?
Over 50%
## Footnote
However, Australia only makes up 6% of the world's land area.
74
True or False: All marsupials have a pouch.
False
## Footnote
Not all marsupials have a pouch.
75
What is the typical direction that a marsupial pouch opens?
Front
## Footnote
In some species, such as wombats, the pouch opens to the back.
76
Fill in the blank: The marsupial dentition formula is _______.
5/4, 1/1, 3/3, 4/4 = 50
## Footnote
This indicates a larger dentition formula compared to Eutherians.
77
How do marsupial reproductive stages differ from Eutherians?
Marsupials have dynamic alternative reproductive stages
## Footnote
The longest pregnancy in marsupials is only a few weeks.
78
What is a significant aspect of marsupial development?
Long development occurs mostly in lactation
## Footnote
Eutherians spend a significant amount of time in gestation.
79
How many different age class offspring can marsupials have at one time?
Three
## Footnote
Eutherians typically have only one age class offspring at a time.
80
What is the maximum weight of a marsupial at birth relative to its mother's weight?
Less than 1% of mother's weight
## Footnote
This highlights the small size of marsupial offspring at birth.
81
What is the primary reason for the limited adaptability of marsupials compared to eutherians?
The need for claws and arms to access the pouch limits structural diversity and size.
## Footnote
This structural limitation affects how marsupials can adapt to different environments.
82
How many orders of magnitude do marsupials span?
4 orders of magnitude.
83
How many orders of magnitude do eutherians span?
7 orders of magnitude.
84
What is a unique skeletal characteristic of all mammals?
All mammals have a singular lower jawbone, known as the dentary bone.
## Footnote
In other groups, the jawbones are stitched and fused together.
85
What unique feature do mammals have regarding their skull?
2 articulating occipital condyles on the skull.
86
How many ossicles are found in the middle ear of mammals?
3 ossicles: malleus, incus, stapes.
87
What is a unique soft anatomical feature of all mammals?
All mammals have hair at some point in their life.
88
What type of heart do mammals have?
A 4-chambered heart with a left aortic arch.
89
What characteristic do enucleate erythrocytes have?
They lack a nucleus, allowing them to carry more oxygen.
90
What unique muscular structure do all mammals possess?
Muscular diaphragm.
91
What is heterodont dentition?
Possessing teeth of different types
## Footnote
Examples include incisors, canines, premolars, and molars which have different structures and functions.
92
What is the first tooth seen in early mammals?
Tribosphenic molar
## Footnote
This type of molar is characterized by having 3 points.
93
What is a quadritubercular molar?
A modern day tooth with 4 points
## Footnote
Represents an advancement in molar structure.
94
What defines a zalambdont tooth?
A tooth where a ridge forms a v-shape
## Footnote
This shape is distinct among different tooth types.
95
What is a dilambdant tooth?
A tooth with a w-shape
## Footnote
This is another variation in tooth morphology.
96
What does diphyodont mean?
Two sets of teeth in your life
## Footnote
This is typical for most mammals.
97
What is the definition of polyphyodont?
Multiple sets of teeth in your life
## Footnote
Found in some species that continuously replace teeth.
98
What is a hypsodont tooth?
High crowned tooth, common in herbivores
## Footnote
Adaptation to wear from grinding plant material.
99
What characterizes a brachydont tooth?
Low crowned tooth, typical in meat eaters
## Footnote
Suited for a diet that requires less grinding.
100
What is a bunodont tooth?
Rounded crushing tooth, found in omnivores
## Footnote
This type of tooth is versatile for varied diets.
101
What defines a lophodont tooth?
Cusps form ridges, characteristic of herbivores
## Footnote
Helps in grinding tough plant materials.
102
What is a selonodont tooth?
Cusps form crescent shapes, found in deer and herbivores
## Footnote
Adapted for effective grazing.
103
What is sectorial dentition?
Carnassial dentition involving the 4th upper premolar and the first lower molar, scissor-like structure
## Footnote
This type of dentition is characteristic of carnivores.
104
What is the dental formula for marsupials?
5/4, 1/1, 3/3, 4/4 = 50
## Footnote
The numbers represent the types and counts of teeth in marsupials.
105
What is the dental formula for eutherians?
3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 3/3 = 44
## Footnote
This formula outlines the teeth structure in eutherian mammals.
106
What is hair primarily made of?
Keratin
## Footnote
Hair is a dead material composed mainly of the protein keratin.
107
What are the three layers of hair?
* Medulla
* Cortex
* Cuticle
## Footnote
Each layer has distinct properties: medulla can be hollow or solid, cortex is densely packed cells, and cuticle has a scale-like outer covering.
108
What is the function of the pelage?
Insulation
## Footnote
Pelage refers to the entire coat of hair on mammals, which serves primarily for insulation.
109
What are the two color groups of pigments in hair?
* Melanins
* Xanthophylls
## Footnote
Melanins are responsible for blacks or browns, while xanthophylls contribute reds or yellows.
110
Fill in the blank: Blubber is an insulating material found in _______.
whales
## Footnote
Blubber serves as a thick layer of fat that provides insulation in marine mammals.
111
How do large mammals use fat for insulation?
By increasing body size
## Footnote
Larger body size in mammals helps retain heat and provides insulation.
112
What are some examples of protective coloration?
• Camouflage
• Defense
• Countershading
• Alert or warning
113
What is camouflage?
A method that allows an organism to blend into its environment.
114
What is countershading?
A type of coloration where the upper parts of an animal are darker than the lower parts.
115
What is alert coloration?
A warning coloration that signals danger or toxicity to potential predators.
116
What is albinism?
A genetic condition resulting in the complete loss of pigment.
117
What is melanism?
A genetic condition characterized by an overabundance of melanin pigments, resulting in a near black or all black appearance.
118
What is leucism?
A genetic condition that leads to a reduction of pigments in all or part of the body.
119
What are the two basic types of hair?
* Vibrissae
* Body hairs
120
What are vibrissae?
Specialized hairs with follicles that contain erectile tissue, primarily used for sensing.
121
What is the primary function of body hairs?
Protection and insulation.
122
What are the two basic categories of body hairs?
* Guard hairs
* Under hairs
123
What are guard hairs?
* Spines
* Bristles (e.g., mane of horse)
* Awns (over fur)
124
What are under hairs?
* Wool
* Fur (short fine)
* Velli (embryonic hair)
