Mammal Lab

Question 1

how are synapsids defined?

Answer 1

• the mammals fall into this group

- have one postorbital fenestra

Question 2

in species where the postorbital bar is not present, there is a…

Answer 2

postorbital process

Question 3

what does the postorbital fenestra allow for?

Answer 3

1. a strong bite bc of muscle attachment

2. fine movement of the jaw

Question 4

Important terms for the skull and their relevance:

• interparietal process
• sagittal crest
• postorbital process (know where it is)
• postorbital bar (know where it is)
• intraorbital foramen
• squamosal
• jugal
• zygomatic arch
• auditory bullae

Answer 4

• the interparietal process and sagittal crest are raised areas where the skull halves meet, which allows for the attachment of muscles
• the infraorbital foramen is a hole underneath the eye which allows nerves to run through it. It was originally important for sucking bc it allowed for fine-scale movement of facial muscles, however it inadvertantly became important for nonverbal communication and for whiskers (vivrissae) to pass through.
• the squamosal and jugal meet up to form the zygomatic arch, aka our cheekbones!
• the auditory bullae are associated with the inner ear and function to help us hear better

Question 5

proper name for whiskers

Answer 5

vivrissae

Question 6

why is teeth specialization important to mammals?

Answer 6

because we are warmblooded, we have to constantly regulate our metabolism which takes a lot of energy. therefore, we need to get the most out of the food we eat.

Question 7

types of teeth

Answer 7

1. Incisors: front-most teeth
2. Canines: used to kill prey with puncture wounds
3. Molariform teeth: flat with high surface area, whose grooves fit together to effectively mash food.

Question 8

what is yawning behavior effective for?

Answer 8

detering competition or predators by showing off canines

Question 9

molariform teeth are most developed in…

Answer 9

onmivores and herbivores

Question 10

Subclass Theria

Answer 10

mammals with placentas (all the species in this lab)

Question 11

Order Marsupial (and this labs species)

Answer 11

the marsupials: common opossum

Question 12

Metatherians

Answer 12

marsupials

Question 13

Eutheria

Answer 13

traditional “placentals” (all species in this lab except common opposum)

Question 14

Order Lypothyphla (and this labs families)

Answer 14

the moles and shrews (Talpidae and Soricidae)

Question 15

Family Talpidae (and this labs species)

Answer 15

moles: eastern mole

Question 16

Family Soricidae

Answer 16

shrews: southern short-tailed shrew

Question 17

Order Chiroptera (and this labs’ families)

Answer 17

the bats: Vespertilionidae and Molosidae

Question 18

Family Vespertilionidae (and this labs species)

Answer 18

the evening bats: big brown bat

Question 19

Family Molosidae (and this labs species)

Answer 19

the free-tailed bats: Brazilian free-tailed bat

Question 20

Order Cingulata (and this labs’ families)

Answer 20

the armadillos: Dasypodidae

Question 21

Family Dasypodidae (and this labs species)

Answer 21

the nine-banded armadillo

Question 22

Order Lagomorpha (and this labs’ families)

Answer 22

the rabbits and hares: Leporidae

Question 23

Family Leporidae

Answer 23

the rabbits: marsh rabbit

Question 24

Order Rodentia (and this labs’ families)

Answer 24

the rodents: Scurnidae and Muridae

Question 25

Family Scurnidae (and this labs species)

Answer 25

the squirrels and relatives: eastern gray squirrel and southern flying squirrel

Question 26

Family Muridae (and this labs' subfamilies)

Answer 26

the rats and mice: Subfamily Sigmodontidae and SF Murinae

Question 27

Subfamily Sigmadontidae (and this labs species)

Answer 27

our native rats and mice: cotton rat and cotton mouse

Question 28

Subfamily Murinae (and this labs species)

Answer 28

old world rats and mice: norway rat and house mouse

Question 29

Order Carnivora (and this labs families)

Answer 29

the carnivorans: Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae, Felidae

Question 30

Family Canidae (and this labs species)

Answer 30

- Gray Fox | - Coyote

Question 31

Family Procyonidae (and this labs species)

Answer 31

the raccoons

Question 32

Family Mustelidae (and this labs species)

Answer 32

the weasels and relatives: north american river otter

Question 33

Family Felidae (and this labs species)

Answer 33

the cats, bobcats, lions, and relatives | -bobcat

Question 34

Order Artiodactyla (and this labs families)

Answer 34

the even toed ungulates Family Cervidae: deer and allies Family Bovidae: cattle, antelope and allies

Question 35

Family Cervidae (and this labs species)

Answer 35

deer and allies: | -white tailed deer

Question 36

Family Bovidae (and this labs species)

Answer 36

cattle, antelope, and allies | -American bison

Question 37

Order Cetacea (and this labs suborders)

Answer 37

whales and dolphins Suborder Odontoceti Suborder Mysticeti

Question 38

Suborder Odontoceti

Answer 38

the toothed whales | -bottlenose dolphin

Question 39

Suborder Mysticeti

Answer 39

the baleen whales | -humpback whale