Fall 2005 - Exam 1

Multiple choice, select the best answer

  1. The goal of systematic studies is to arrange animals into
  2. Convergent evolution is the result of
  3. The most important feature of the biological species concept is its emphasis on
  4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ALL marsupials?
  5. A mammal with a protrusible tongue most likely feeds on
  6. Which of the following is the best ecomorph for a member of the Notiorictidae
  7. Cynodonts share which of the following characters with mammals
  8. Which of the following is the FAMILY of the coyote?
  9. The living Mammalia is divided into three major groups based on
  10. Mammals which have _____ young have ______ gestation periods while mammals which have ______ young have ____ gestation periods.
  11. Feeding habits and habitats most similar to groundhogs or woodchucks are characteristic of
  12. The most likely function of the sail-like structure found on the back of primitive synapsids
  13. Unlike their therapsid ancestors, the first mammals were characterized by
  14. The upper arm bones bone in a a bird's wing and our arm are said to be
  15. A vertebrate with continuous tooth replacement throughout its life is
  16. Which tooth type is best adapted to a herbivorous diet
  17. A mammal with a well-developed tapetum lucidum is most likely
  18. South America is part of this zoogeographic region
  19. Which of the following are superb examples of hind gut fermenters
  20. Which of the following pairs of ear/jaw structures are homologous:

For ANY 2 of the following mammalian groups, give the Zoogeographic Region(s) and/or fossil record (1 pt), Characteristics and Adaptation(s) of Taxon (3 pts), and Ecomorph of (1 pt). If the taxon does not have an ecomorph from another zoogeographic region, note that it does not. I will accept common names for ecomorphs. (10 points)

Caenolestidae, Dasyuridae, Multituberculata, Tachyglossidae, Tarsipedidae

List from most inclusive to least inclusive the seven fundamental Linnean categories. (5 points)

Define, explain the significance and/or function of, and give an example as discussed in lecture of any FIVE of the the following (5 points each, 25 points total)

Cecum, Epipubic bones, Focal sampling, Thylacosmilus, Tribosphenic molar, Trophoblast, Wallace’s Line

ANSWER any 20 points of the following questions. I will only grade the first 20 points.

What information can be determined from using capture, mark, and release to study mammals? Give a brief example of how this would be done (5 points)

What life history and environmental factors cause semelparous reproduction, such as occurs in Antechinus and embryonic diapause such as occurs in kangaroos. Explain separately for each. (5 points)

List and give examples of three functions of hair in mammals. (5 points)

Characterize embryonic diapause in kangaroos. In general, how does embryonic diapause differ from the typical pattern of mammalian reproduction? What is the reproductive advantage of this process over the reproductive sequence in most placentals. (10 points)

Discuss the significance of a the very advanced cynodont therapsid Probainognathus to the evolution of the typical mammalian jaw articulation and the middle ear region. (10 points)