Mammalogy Fall 2007

1-5 MATCH THE CRITTER PICTURE with the name (2 points each)

1. Bradypodidae ____
2. Daubentonidae ______
3. Hominidae ______
4. Molossidae ______
5. Phocidae _____
6. Soricidae _____

Multiple choice, Select the best answer. 2 points each

7.  Which trait is unique to primates?
8. Neotony has been used to explain the evolution of
9. Which family of mammals cannot rotate their hindlimbs forward
10. This family is restricted to the West Indies (e.g., Cuba)
11. Some members of this family produce a neurotoxic saliva.
12. A member of this African family is an ecomorph of otters
13. According to Bergmann's rule, mammals in colder climates will have ____ than relatives in warmer regions.
14. An nose leaf is used for
15. Which of the following families has expanded its range northward the most in the past 100 years?
16. Which of the following is an adaptation to running in mammals?
17. The order Xenarthra gets its name from having
18. The fossa (Cryptoprocta) of Madagascar is a
19. Toxins in cycad seeds
20. Hyenas are most closely related to
21. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of bats?
22. You are involved in a conservation project and find that in areas where coyotes are present, rabbit numbers are low and vegetation diversity is high. Removal of coyotes causes increases in rabbit populations and significant loss of vegetation cover. How do you best characterize the ecological status of coyotes in this situation?
23. Bats that have high aspect ratio wings would most likely forage
24. The principle advantage of high frequency (vs. low) sound in bat echolocation is that
25. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the New World monkeys?

Short Answer

26. Name two skeletal adaptations to flight (other than wings in general) in bats. Name specific structures and explain what they do (4 points)
27. What is the main advantage for feeding on ants and termites that has caused it to evolve in so many orders of mammals (3 points)
28. Discuss the ulna as a lever in a mole. Use illustrations and mathematical formulae to show how its proportions (distance in and out) and force in affect force out. (5 points)
29. What are the advantages of delayed implantation in seals? (4 points)
30. For bears, do the calculations to show how much fat would be required to raise the temperature of a 250 kg hibernating bear from 7 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius. Fat provides 9 cal/gram of energy. (5 extra credit points)
31. Select a family covered for this exam whose members have the diet listed. Give the Order, and characterize the adaptations that occur for this diet. You must use different Orders for each of the questions. If the diet is not typical of all members of the family, which members have it? You can use families from any of the above questions if you want but DO NOT REPEAT ANY INFORMATION that was included in any other question or answer or I will deduct points. (5 points each, 15 points total).
    1. Insects other than termites.
    2. Fruit
    3. Leaves
32. For each of the following SELECT A FAMILY OF YOUR CHOICE and characterize it (information such as diagnostic characters, distribution, behavior, reproduction, life history, dietary and locomotor specializations, conservation issues). You can use families from any of the above questions if you want but DO NOT REPEAT ANY INFORMATION that was included in any other question or answer or I will deduct points. (5 points each, 20 points total)
    1. Order Insectivora that occurs in Texas
    2. Order Carnivora that occurs in Texas
    3. Order Primates that occurs in Africa (including Madagascar)
    4. Pick a DIFFERENT FAMILY covered for this exam that is in a different Order from 32a-c. In addition to the above information, give the order.