Exploring Penguins and the Great Auk: A Journey Through Time and Habitats

Why are penguins not found in the Arctic despite their ability to thrive in similar polar conditions in the Antarctic?

• Penguins cannot survive in cold temperatures

• The Arctic does not have enough food sources for penguins

• Because of the vast distance and environmental differences between the Arctic and Antarctic

• Due to the presence of large predators in the Arctic

What is insular biogeography?

• The genetic modification of island species

• The study of island weather patterns

• The study of isolated ecosystems and their species

• The mapping of undiscovered islands

What led to the diversification of penguin species across the southern hemisphere?

• Global warming

• The breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana

• Human intervention

• The ice age

How did the weimanu, the common ancestor of all penguins, adapt to its environment?

• By learning to hunt on land

• By evolving an exceptional ability to swim

• By growing larger to intimidate predators

• By developing wings suitable for flying

What is island gigantism?

• A phenomenon where islands are inhabited only by giant species

• The process by which islands increase in size over time

• The tendency for island species to become smaller due to limited resources

• The tendency for island species to grow larger than their mainland counterparts

Which event nearly drove all penguins to extinction, leaving only one species as the ancestor of all modern penguins?

• An asteroid impact

• The arrival of humans in Antarctica

• A massive volcanic eruption

• The most recent ice age

What is the significance of the emperor penguin within the penguin species?

• It is the smallest penguin species

• It is the largest modern penguin species

• It is the only penguin species found in the Northern Hemisphere

• It is the only penguin species that can fly

What adaptation allows Galapagos penguins to live near the equator?

• Thicker feathers for warmth

• Heat-exchanging flippers to manage body heat

• Larger size to intimidate predators

• Ability to hibernate during hot weather

What ultimately caused the extinction of the great auk?

• A disease outbreak

• Human hunting for their feathers

• Climate change

• Natural predators

What concept explains the similarities between the great auk and penguins?

• Adaptive radiation

• Convergent evolution

• Genetic drift

• Natural selection