Ungulates - Midterm

Question 1

Ungulates are comprised of which 2 taxonomic groups?

Answer 1

• Artiodactyla (even toed ungulates)

- Perissodactyla (odd toed ungulates)

Question 2

What is a RUMINANT?

Answer 2

• Artiodactyla that chews the cud regurgitated from the rumen. Multiple chambers to the stomach!

Question 3

Key characteristics of the order ARTIODACTYLA?

Answer 3

• Even-toed
• Lack upper incisor teeth
• Small canines or incisoforms
• Cheek teeth are selenodont
• RUMINANT (2 or 4 chambers)

Question 4

Which 3 families are considered ruminants?

Answer 4

• Cervidae (moose, elk, deer, caribou)
• Bovidae (bison, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, cows
• Antilocapridae (pronghorn sheep, not in BC)

Question 5

Key characteristics of the order PERSSODACTYLA?

Answer 5

• Odd-toed
• Ulna and fibula are reduced
• Absent collar bone
• Lower canine teeth usually present
• Lophodont teeth
• Simple stomach, monogastric (not chambered)
• Elongated cecum

Question 6

What is SELENODONT?

Answer 6

• Elongated primary cusps in anterior-posterior direction (cheek teeth of cervidae and bovidae)

Question 7

What is LOPHODONT?

Answer 7

• Elongated ridges called lophs that run between cusps

Question 8

What is BRACHYODONT?

Answer 8

• Low crowned teeth (opposite of hypsodont) (humans!)

- Browsers

Question 9

What is HYPSODONT?

Answer 9

• High crowned teeth that extend far beyond gumline (cows and elk)
• Grazers

Question 10

What is BUNODONT?

Answer 10

• Cheek teeth with low rounded cusps (broad diet) (humans, bears, pigs)

Question 11

Define AQUATIC and provide an example

Answer 11

• An animal that SWIMS

- Otter, beaver

Question 12

Define VOLANT and provide an example

Answer 12

• An animal that GLIDES

- Flying squirrel

Question 13

Define CURSORIAL and provide an example

Answer 13

• An animal that cursors (RUNS FAST) for long distances

- Carnivores, ungulates

Question 14

Define SCANSORIAL and provide an example

Answer 14

• An animal is a climber

- Mountain goat, woodpecker

Question 15

Define ARBOREAL and provide an example

Answer 15

• An animal that spends most of its time in trees

- Squirrels

Question 16

Define SALTATURTIAL and provide an example

Answer 16

• An animal that is a hopper

- Deer mice, rabbit

Question 17

Define FOSSORIAL and provide an example

Answer 17

• An animal that digs, usually living in burrows

- Pocket gopher, Badger

Question 18

What are two factors that determine the speed an animal can travel?

Answer 18

• Length of stride

- Rate of stride (number/time)

Question 19

Define PLANTIGRADE and provide an example

Answer 19

• An animal that places full length of their foot on the ground
• Humans, bears, raccoons, porcupines

Question 20

Define DIGITIGRADE and provide an example

Answer 20

• An animal that walks on its digits but not the soles of the feet
• Dogs, Cats

Question 21

Define UNGULIGRADE and provide an example

Answer 21

• An animal that walks on their tiptoes, often on hooves

- Deer, Horses

Question 22

Provide 4 adaptations that may lengthen stride.

Answer 22

• Using different parts of the FOOT
• Lengthen the LIMB elements, elongating the digits
• Include the SCAPULA as part of the limb
• Flexing the SPINE

Question 23

Describe 2 adaptations for increasing frequency of steps.

Answer 23

• Muscle near the joints
• Ulna of cursors is typically reduced or fused
• Fibula and tibia reduced in weight
• Number of digits reduced

Question 24

What are the 4 main chambers of a ruminant’s stomach?

Answer 24

• RUMEN
• RETICULUM
• OMASUM
• ABOMASUM

Question 25

What is the purpose of the RUMEN?

Answer 25

- Where fermentation happens - Provides anaerobic environment containing billions of bacteria which helps breakdown cellulose - This is where 70% of cellulose is absorbed

Question 26

What is the purpose of the RETICULUM?

Answer 26

- Where food is compacted into cuds for regurgitation | - Allows for further breakdown by the teeth

Question 27

What is the purpose of the OMASUM?

Answer 27

- More breakdowns occur | - No digestive enzymes yet

Question 28

What is the purpose of the ABOMASUM?

Answer 28

- True stomach | - Glands secret hydrochloric acid and pepsin and lipase for final breakdown and absorption

Question 29

When does rumination occur any why?

Answer 29

- Rumination occurs when the animal is at rest which allows for better digestion and absorption of nutrients

Question 30

Which family has ANTLERS, what is their structure, and how do they grow?

Answer 30

- CERVIDAE have antlers (only males except caribou) - BRANCHED - Grows from pedicle and regulated by testicular and pituitary hormones (stimulates growth in April and May) - Covered in velvet which carries blood vessels and nerves - Replaced by compact bone - Shed in winter

Question 31

Which family has HORNS, what is their structure, and how do they grow?

Answer 31

- BOVIDAE have horns (both males and females) - Never branched - Bony core, with keratin sheath - Do NOT shed - Never stop growing

Question 32

What triggers antler growth, and generally when does this happen?

Answer 32

- The PITUITARY HORMONE | - In SPRING (April/May)

Question 33

What family do Antelope belong to?

Answer 33

- ANTILOCAPRIDAE

Question 34

How does the family ANTILOCAPRIDAE differ from other families in the order ARTODACTYLA?

Answer 34

- They have horns, but they are branched and the sheath of keratin is shed annually

Question 35

Which species are considered GRAZERS?

Answer 35

- Mountain goat - Elk - Mule deer (summer)

Question 36

Which species are considered BROWSERS?

Answer 36

- White-tailed deer - Moose - Mule deer (winter)

Question 37

Which species are considered INTERMEDIATE?

Answer 37

- Caribou | - Mule deer

Question 38

What is the critical limiting factor for mountain goats?

Answer 38

- Winter habitat

Question 39

Why is rumination an advantage?

Answer 39

- Makes digestion more efficient, therefore increases nutrient absorption