NS_Adaptations and Diversity

1. Scientists estimate that there are more than 20,000 species of ants. The species range in size from 1 mm long to 38 mm long and live in most environments. The diets of ants range from flowers and seeds to fluids from their own larvae. Ants have been able to successfully inhibit so many different environments because their populations have  —

• hybridization factors with other species of insects

• adaptations to a variety of habitats and food resources

• ability to fill niches occupied by mammals

• ability to occupy habitats that have no other life-forms

1. The aye-aye lemur is a mammal that feeds mostly on insect larvae that live inside trees. The aye-aye lemur has a specialized middle finger that is long and thin. It taps the tree branch with this finger as it moves along a tree branch. When the aye-aye lemur hears a difference in the echo, it will tear oen the bark with its teeth until the insect tunnel is exposed. It then uses its specialized finger to reach the insect larvae and remove it.

2.      Which selective pressure most likely resulted in the development of the aye-aye lemur special adaptation?

   
   

• 1. Limited availability of water

• 1. Competing for mates

• 1. Large number of predators

• 1. Food sources that are hard to find

In the European roe deer, implantation of embryos after breeding is delayed. The deer breed in July or August but do not give birth until the following May or June. From summer to late December or early January, the embryo sends a signal that causes the female to release hormones, allowing the embryo to continue to develop normally.

  Why is delayed implantation an advantageous adaptation for the European roe deer?

2. .

• 1. Delayed implantation allows the mother to continue to breed with other males.

• 1. Without delayed implantation, the females would not be able to carry a pregnancy to full term.

• 1. Delayed implantation enables the female to give birth to more fawns each year.

• 1. Without delayed implantation, the fawns would be born in the winter when the food is scarce and the weather is harsh.

The table shows the survival rate of two types of beetles in the same environment over period of three  years.

  Which statement about the beetles in this environment is best supported by the data?

• 1. Green beetles are more fit for the environment than the brown beetles are.

• 1. Brown beetles undergo a greater number of unfavorable mutations than the green beetles do.

• 1. Green beetles have a greater gene frequency among their population than the brown beetles have.

• 2. Brown beetles have a shorter life cycle than green beetles have.

Quick Write

Nudibranchs are marine gastropods that lack shells. Many of these gastropods retain the foul-tasting poisons of their prey and secrete them when threatened. The bright coloration of the nudibranchs warns predators to avoid them.

Based on this information, identify at least two adaptations of the Nudibranchs and explain how these adaptations have allowed nudibranchs to be successful without a shell? Provide your response using at least three sentences. Be sure to include some or all words from the word bank: predators, survive, genes, offspring, reproduce and adaptations.