FORMATIVE EXAMINATION #6 (LABORATORY)

ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT

From: Vodopich, D.S. (2010). Ecology: Laboratory Manual. NY, USA, McGraw-Hill

Section 1 – MN
 Aban, Arvin Dave F. Sec 1-MN
 Ang, Zhirome Chrysler M.
 De Guzman, Faustine Mae M.
 Quizzagan, Mc Ian Howell R.

PART I. Adaptive Skeletal Features.

Questions

1. Is undulation (versus crawling or walking) a viable form of locomotion in a terrestrial

environment? What is your evidence based on the examined skeleton of turtles? (3 pts)
 Undulation is a type of motion characterized by wave-like movement
patterns that act to propel an animal forward. The undulation of turtle on
terrestrial environment is much better than aquatic because in terrestrial all of
the axial skeleton of turtles are moving and working. The evidence of these
are the paddle that serves as their feet.
2. Terrestrial environments lack the buoyancy of water. Powerful muscles are needed to lift
and move body mass. Are the appendages of turtles more developed than those of fish
and amphibians? Why or why not? (3 pts)
 Yes, it is more difficult to move on land than on water because it lacks
buoyancy which water has therefore the turtle appendages are more developed
than fish and amphibians because it can both move on land and water.

3. The axial skeleton includes the head and spinal column. Which of the reptile skeletons
available has the least axial flexibility? Why? (3 pts)

 The reptile skeleton which has the least axial flexibility are the ribs because
it is located in the middle of the body which is least moved unlike the lower
and upper part.

4. Does a lack of axial flexibility mean that the skeleton is not well-adapted to its
environment? Why or why not? (3 pts)

 Not really, because axial flexibility is already there once we

developed an axial skeleton it just enhances with the help of
adaptation therefore lack of axial flexibility doesn’t mean that the
skeleton is not well-adapted to the environment.

5. How does the anatomy and ecology of the organism compensate for less undulation to
power locomotion? (3 pts)

 Anatomy and ecology of an organism compensate for less undulation to

power locomotion because of the amazing anatomy of an organism and on
ecology that includes the adaptation to environment which is very effective
to produce a power locomotion.
 FORMATIVE EXAMINATION #6 (LABORATORY)

ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT

From: Vodopich, D.S. (2010). Ecology: Laboratory Manual. NY, USA, McGraw-Hill

6. Which features of an alligator’s developed appendages and axial flexibility are adaptive
for its methods of locomotion? Why? (3 pts)

 The unique body form of the crocodile produces the crocodilian locomotion,
where the lateral processes of the spine are joined to interlocking bony plates
of the dorsal scales by complex ligaments. This produces a structure that
encloses the back muscles which is rigid but flexible and it allows an efficient
transfer of energy from tail when swimming and an erect body posture when
walking.
7. Has natural selection produced a singular “best” morphology for locomotion? Why or
why not? (3 pts)
 Yes, because based on natural selection’s definition it is a process whereby
organisms better adapted to their environment. Therefore, the natural
selection produced a singular best morphology for locomotion because I
think adapting to your environment is the best way for survival.
Questions

1. Birds share a recent and direct lineage to reptiles. How much axial flexibility for
locomotion does a bird skeleton have? (3 pts)
 It provides a surface for attachment of muscles that move the
head, neck, trunk, and performs respiratory movements and
stabilizes parts of the appendicular skeleton.

2. Fish and amphibians and some reptiles use extended digits to push against their
environment as they move. Are the digits of a bird’s wing well-developed? If not, what
other adaptations accomplish this same function? (3 pts)
 Yes, they are well formed developed by early ancestors gliding structures in
order to produce thrust for flight.

3. Land animals must compensate for gravity with strong muscles and appendages. Birds,
however, must not only compensate, but must overcome gravity. This takes powerful
muscles. What adaptive skeletal feature provides for broad attachment of powerful
muscles? (3 pts)
 Bird flight is powered by pectoralis muscles that moves the humerus bone of
the wing around the shoulder that controls the wings and provides powerful
wing strokes essential for flight supported by the bird's body weight.

4. The rigors of land and air environments select for powerful and adaptive bones and
muscles. Which bones of the bird are the thickest and most robust? What could be the
reason behind its thickness and robustness? (3 pts)
 The femur is the thickest and are the heaviest, it contributes to a low center
of gravity, which aids in flight.
 FORMATIVE EXAMINATION #6 (LABORATORY)

ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT

From: Vodopich, D.S. (2010). Ecology: Laboratory Manual. NY, USA, McGraw-Hill

PART II. Adaptive External Features

Major classes of Vertebrates

Adaptation
Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals
Spiny dorsal Limbs- hop or Teeth - to fight Wings- to fly Eyes- they use
fins- spines that crawl to the back other and to get away to detect prey
are rigid and safety of the predators. from danger from afar.
Protection may be quite nearest water
sharp Skin- use Beaks -use their Ears-have
Skin - glands in camouflaging sharp beaks to very sensitive
Scales- their skin that to hide fight back other hearing to
provides ooze poisonous predators detect their
physical or foul-tasting Tail shedding- surroundings
protection for fluids to get away Talons - to
the body from their catch their prey Nose-make up
Skin color- predators but also to fight for their lack
Operculum- camouflaged to larger predators in sensory
flexible bony blend in with touch
plate that their
protects the surroundings.
sensitive gills
Eyes-allow Tongue - to Eyes- for Horns- to Eyes-
animals to see detect their eyesight and protect eyesight for
in the water prey and stalk prey themselves sensing their
Sensory surroundings from predators surroundings
Nares-organ Nose -sense of
that detects Eyes- for smell to detect Plates- Skin- the
scent or smells eyesight that other organisms armadillos has primary
in the water; use to see plates to avoid sensory organ
similar to everything Tongue - to being eaten by of all
human nostrils. catch scent larger predators mammals
Ears- have particles in
Lateral line- very sensitive their Spines- Ears- For
sensory system hearing that surroundings Mammals like hearing and
that enables they use to porcupines use important
fish to feel the detect spikes to fight sensory organ
vibrations and surroundings off predators. of mammals
movement of
the water
Trout - to cope Tail – used as Legs – needed Wings – for Feet – for us
with the swift a prop, them to become them to fly to walk, run,
currents of particularly land-dwelling and swim
Locomotion streams and when climbing. creatures like Legs – they are
rivers. the crocodiles. like spring for Arms –
Limbs – are high jumping supports our
Fin – to short and more Fins – for like the ostrich balance when
maintain its or less the same steering while walking or
 FORMATIVE EXAMINATION #6 (LABORATORY)

ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT

From: Vodopich, D.S. (2010). Ecology: Laboratory Manual. NY, USA, McGraw-Hill

position, move, length and swimming. Feet – for them running

steer and stop. project at right to walk
angles from the Tail – Palm – used
Tail - providing body. providing thrust in swimming
thrust in the in the water. to row
water. Feet – have
adaptations for
the way of life,
with webbing
between the
toes for
swimming,
broad adhesive
toe pads for
climbing, and
keratinized
tubercles on the
hind feet for
digging.
Mouth & Large tail fins Skin - contains Nares – for Nose – for
Opercula - - the tail fins keratin, a them to inhale breathing
helps to force contain blood water-resistant
Gas Exchange water across the vessels and are substance that Feathers – it Mouth –
gill surface important maintains keeps their other passage
respiratory hydration. body warm of air to go to
Gill Arch & structures our lungs
Gill Rakers – because of their Nostril – for Lungs –
for ventilation large surface the air to be primary site for Lungs –
and helps to area breath gas exchange major organ
filter out debris in gas
that would Skin – a major Mouth - other exchange
damage or stick avenue for passage of air
to the gill carbon dioxide to go to our
filaments exchange in lungs
amphibians
Primary &
Secondary Gills – are for
Lamellae - the larval form for
site of gas respiration
exchange