EXERCISE 6. Individual variation and other morphological differences.

1. Phenon
 Leucisitic (white phase) vs Melanistic ( black phase)

P
iPileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

 https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/overview
 http://www.10000birds.com/leucistic-pileated-woodpecker.htm650

 Albinism

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

 https://www.earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/natural-world/meet-pearl-one-of-the-
worlds-rare-albino-alligators/
 https://www.livescience.com/62980-how-to-escape-alligator.html
 2. Taxon

Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-
difference-between-a-monotypic-and-a-polytypic-
species.html

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Monotypic_taxon

Geographic Range
African forest elephants occur in central and western Africa. They can be found in
northern Congo, southwestern Central African Republic, the southeast coast of
Gabon, southern Ghana, and in Cote D'Ivoire. Many of these populations are
isolated from each other currently. (Dudley, et al., 1992; Merz, 1986a; Merz,
1986b; Tangley, 1997; White, et al., 1993).
Currently, African elephants are the largest terrestrial organism. Female elephants
can range from 2,000 to 3,500kg in mass and stand 2.2 to 2.6m at shoulder
height. Male elephants are larger, ranging from 4,500 to 6,100kg in mass and
standing 3.2 to 4m at shoulder height
Range mass
2000 to 6100 kg
4405.29 to 13436.12 lb
Range length
2.2 to 4 m
7.22 to 13.12 ft

African forest elephants are smaller than their close relatives, savanna elephants
(Loxodonta africana). Male shoulder height is greater than female shoulder height
and height increases with age. Mean shoulder height is between 144 and 155 cm
(range 69 to 216 cm).
Range mass
2700 to 6000 kg
5947.14 to 13215.86 lb
Range length
1.6 to 2.86 m
5.25 to 9.38 ft

https://wildlifeact.com/about-wildlife-act/wildlife-species/african-elephant/
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Loxodonta_cyclotis/

3. Sexual Dimorphism
Cryptopsaras couesii

Both sexes undergo metamorphosis as they develop into adults. Females gain the large
teeth and fleshy lure the fish are known for, while males often grow large, well-
developed eyes and big nostrils. Males also lose their normal teeth and grow a set of
pincerlike "denticles," which are toothlike projections that sit at the front tips of their jaws,
and as it turns out, are absolutely necessary for mating.

http://eol.org/pages/1012527/overview

Males are not only significantly larger and heavier than females, but they also have (like
their namesakes) a prominent, trunk-like proboscis, and a region of thickened, scarred skin
on the neck, chest and shoulders called a ‘chest shield’, the result of numerous fights with
other males
The short, stiff hair of males is dark grey, fading to a rusty greyish-brown throughout the
year (2). Females are generally darker than males, having a brown coat with a lighter area
around the neck, which is actually scarring from being repeatedly bitten by the male during
mating
 https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/incredible-elephant-
seals-part-1/
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/9-most-dramatic-
examples-sexual-dimorphism

4. Age variation
 Holometabolous
Leaf Hoppers Eurymela distincta have a life cycle that involves an incomplete
metamorphosis. The eggs hatch into nymphs that look like smaller, wingless
versions of their parents. As they grow they shed their skins, each time looking
more and more like adults. After the final moult, they develop fully functional
wings and reproductive organs.

 Holometabolous
Dung Beetles Aphodius fimetarius have a life cycle that involves a
complete metamorphosis. The larvae look nothing like their parents.
They grow and moult several times until ready to pupate. During
pupation they undergo a dramatic change and emerge as adult beetles.

https://museumsvictoria.com.au/bugs/life/cycles.aspx
5. Seasonal variaiton

https://www.sdakotabirds.com/blog/archives/tag/bobolink
No other North American bird has a white back and black underparts (some
have described this look as wearing a tuxedo backwards). Added to this are
the male’s rich, straw-colored patch on the head and his bubbling, virtuosic
song. As summer ends he molts into a buff and brown female-like plumage.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/overview

American Goldfinch male in summer plumage, May

 American Goldfinch male in transition, March

American Goldfinch male in winter plumage, February

Adult birds–Seasonal Variation

Some adult birds (typically the males) sport a bright, colorful plumage in the
spring, which is replaced by more subdued colors during the post-nesting
molt. The widespread American Goldfinch provides a good example of this
plumage pattern. In its basic winter plumage the male goldfinch is similar in
appearance to the female.

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/plumage-variations/