Mammalogy Fall 2006

Multiple choice, Select the best answer. 2 points each

  1. The most important feature of the biological species concept is its emphasis on
  2. Which tooth type is best adapted to a herbivorous diet A. _____odont
  3. The taxonomic rank to the Amphicynodontidae is A. Oder B. Family C. Superorder D. Subfamily E. Subclass
  4. Which of the following zoogeographic regions, has the highest percentage of endemic mammals
  5. The South American Microbiothere Dromiciops, the “Monito del Monte” is of interest to mammalogsts because it is most closely related to
  6. The earliest mammal Morganucodon still retains the following primitive character
  7. Electroreception is a very important sense for locating food items in the
  8. Wallace’s Line separates which two zoogeographic regions
  9. A cloaca is present in  
  10. A venom gland occurs in
  11. The first mammals appear at about the same time as when  
  12. The home range of a mammal could be best determined using  
  13. Didelphids occur in
  14. A vertebrate with sail-like spines on its back would most likely be a  
  15. Repenomamus, a recently discovered Mesozoic mammal, proved to be quite surprising because  
  16. The fact that only the third deciduous premolar is replaced is used to distinguish
  17. Which of the following pairs of ear region bones are homologous:
  18. Syndactylous digits are mainly used for  
  19. Caenolestids are found in ___ and are ecomorphs of _____
  20. Which marsupials chew their cud

     

  21. List from most inclusive to least inclusive the seven fundamental Linnean categories. (6 points)
  22.  List three [diagnostic] mammalian characters that are related to endothermy (3 points)
  23. Briefly explain how each of these three is related to endothermy (3 points)
  24. What is semelparous reproduction? (4 points)
  25. Under what conditions is it advantageous for a species to evolve semelparous reproduction? (4 points)
  26. Answer ONE of the following (either A or B) (5 points) A. How and when did marsupials reach Australia? B. Describe the structure of the reproductive organs of male and female marsupials.
  27. Answer TWO of the following (10 points each, 20 points total) C. What does a cladogram show? How is one constructed (I do not want to know what it looks like, but rather what information is used)? D. Why are multituberculates such a good example of competitive replacement by ecomorphs? E. What is a therapsid? List and discuss four mammalian characteristics that were present in therapsids.
  28. Answer TWO of the following (5 points each, 10 points total) A. Give an example of disruptive coloration. What is its function? [How does it do this?] B. Give two different causes for molting in mammals. C. Describe and discuss digestive system of koalas. D. Describe and discuss digestive system of macropodids.
  29.  Why do kangaroos have an advantage over ecomorphs such as deer during times of severe drought? (5 points)
  30. EXTRA CREDIT: Characterize (information such as diagnostic characters, distribution, behavior, life history, dietary specializations, conservation issues) any family of living or extinct mammals that was covered in the material for this test. DO NOT repeat any information that was included in any previous question or answer or I will deduct points. (5 points)