Animal Geography

mammals of the Atlantic Forest

12 mammal genera and 2 of them are monkeys Thin-spined porcupine Maned sloth Brazilian arborial mouse 2 monkeys: tamarins (swing through trees), muriqui (thick fur with a specialized digestive system to maximize nutrients from leaves)

Jaguarundi

Nearctic Realm Jaguarundi is a stalky cat, has long body with stalky legs Fur can change color Eats small mammals Has a snout nose

lynx

Nearctic Realm Lynx paws are very large They live in thick shrubland and forests

bush baby (lesser bush baby)

Nocturnal. Mark paths through the trees with their urine Related to the laurus - large ears, grasping hands, good vision They hunt with speed and can jump 30 times their body length Bush babies have colonized almost every forest in Africa

Life in the Trees - general info

Tails are great climbing tools 1/3 of Earth's land is still covered by trees Canopies have a greater variety of food than anywhere else

Oriental Realm primates

apes, lesser apes (gibbons), old world monkeys, promisians (lemurs) Asian monkeys have large stomachs with different pouches and bacteria to help them digest leaves (tarsiers eat meat regardless).

tarsiers

10 species - primates Fossil records show them in North America - skeleton hasn't changed from their fossils besides their size (have gotten smaller) - Now in Oriental Realm They are the only primates who are entirely carnivorous - they eat insects, small reptiles, etc. They are not at risk of extinction Giant eyes and can rotate their heads 180 degrees. Have big ears to pick up sounds from great distances and can fold in their ears They have suction cup fingers for traveling up slippery trees

birds (Oriental Realm)

10,000 living species of birds and 1/5 live in SE Asia Perching birds (songbirds) = ½ of the species in OR Convergent evolution Birds of paradise have very elaborate mating rituals

10,000 walruses

10,000 walruses "hauled out" onto ice islands so they could stay out of water, but this was dangerous for them because they stampede when they get scared Happens because the ice is melting

leaf monkeys

11 species - subset of Old World monkeys Found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand. Related to the collobus monkeys Wizard of Oz flying monkeys were based off these

biogeography

the pattern of natural distribution of organisms (where we find certain species in the wild)

ecology

the study of the interactions among organisms with the environment, each other, and other species

difference between crocodiles and alligators

their snouts Alligators have A-shaped rounded snouts and their big teeth come from the top Crocodiles have pointy V-shaped snouts and their big teeth come from the bottom

Mekong River and Delta

12th longest river Has many political problems because it runs through politically unstable countries China controls this river because it's located at the top Mekong has higher biodiversity per measurement because it drastically changes latitudes (runs north to south) Averages 2 newly discovered species per week (dracula fish, lipstick gecko, cyanide-producing centipede) China wants to dam the river and use it for energy production Mekong Commision = Laos, Cambodia, Veitnam

order of animal classes

1) Invertebrates (1,300,000) 2) Fishes (25,777) 3) Birds (9,721) 4) Reptiles (8,163) 5) Amphibians (5,400) 6) Mammals (4,785)

order of domestication

1) dog about 12,000 years ago 2) sheep - 9,000 BC 3) goats - a little after sheep 4) pigs - in China 5) cows - became the most valuable animal to humans ever 6) horses/donkeys - in Mongolia 7) cats 8) silkworm - only insect to be fully domesticated and now there are none left in the wild

domestication

Allowed for humans to cease being hunters and gatherers Characteristics for domestication: must be able to breed in captivity, must be non-aggressive, can't be too big, won't flee, rapid growth rates, must have flexible diet

Blitzkrieg Theory

Blitzkrieg theory claims that humans came along and wiped out all the megafauna 13,000 years ago, all the megafauna disappeared Humans were much smaller than they are now and they didn't have great weapons, thus, it would have been very hard for these humans to wipe out large populations of megafauna

historic megafauna of the Nearctic Realm

Dire wolf, short-faced bear, saber tooth tiger, ground sloth, American cheetah, American lion, mammoth Ground sloths were 6 ft tall and 3500 lbs Mammoths were 12 ft tall and 10,000 lbs Also had Giant beavers up to 8.5 ft long Giant hutia grew to size of bears (kind of like a beaver) Camel, mastadon, bison, dwarf pronghorns (relatives of African pronghorns - about 2 ft) are a snack treat for everything else

nature films vs. nature documentaries

Documentaries educate - they report Films are a story. They anthropomorphize animals for a story. The purpose is to get large amounts of people to watch Disney Nature started with documentaries 7 years ago, but it didn't do very well, so they began making nature films Now, films like Monkey Kingdom, are character-driven films. This is a compromise in order to get people to care about nature/conservation The monkeys in Monkey Kingdom are toque macaques native to Sri Lanka

sub-ungulates

Don't have hooves, but they still fit into the category ex: manatees, elephants, aardvarks, anteaters

Primates of Madagascar: Lemurs

First evolved in Africa then crossed to Madagascar when currents were more manageable (they are all endemic to Madagascar) 100 species of lemurs, 5 families, 15 genera Lemurs flourish in Madagascar because there are very few other mammalian predators 17 extinct lemurs that were all larger than current forms (including giant lemur killed by humans)

collugo

Flying lemurs (not an actual lemur) They glide very long distances. They are lousy climbers because of their gliding membrane, so gliding is their best form of transportation

Ethiopian Wolf

Found above 9800 ft. in the mountains They are the top predators of the Eastern Afromontane Region They're very endangered with less than 400 adults

flying fruit bats (flying foxes)

Found in Australia Bats are the only mammals that have developed true flight. Wings help them fly, but landing is harder - They glide when nearing a branch, then hook their toes Wings need regular care and they heal very fast - it's the fastest growing tissue membrane They can travel as much as 30 miles in a single night They dip their chests in lakes then lick the moisture for water source - they are good swimmers as well, but they must be careful of crocs Colonies are sometimes as big as 5 million Huge wings don't allow for great maneuverability Eagles attack them from below (in their blind spot) -This is why bats live in colonies. Bat deaths make little impacts on their total numbers

Malayan (Javan) pangolin

Found in OR and ER Lives in forests and also in plantations. It is a scaly anteater because it feeds entirely on ants and termites (about 200,000 per day).

civets

Found in OR and ER Related to the otter Kopi Luwak is special coffee found in the Civet's poop. They produce only 300 kilograms per year, so it's very expensive Only on islands of Bali, Sumatra, and Java

smooth otter

Found in fresh water and feed on fish, mollusks, etc. Litters are generally 1 or 2 Multi-generation families of 4-6 Found in SE Asia, parts of India/Sumatra, and some near Singapore

914F (Echo) and wolf ranges

Grand Canyon wolf shot and killed Many male wolves break off from their packs to expand their range and mate with other packs (to extend their genetic line) Wolves become endangered when they approach human settlements

Arctic fox

Greenland Quite furry with white fur in the winter and brown fur during spring and summer months

walruses

Greenland Seals and walruses have a lot of blubber and insulation to keep them warm in cold waters (6 in blubber; 1.5 in skin) Walruses spend half their time in water and half their time on land. They must be able to withstand constant cold They are threatened by polar bears and orcas, so they stay in large groups because there is a safety in numbers principle. This is also how they keep warm. Walruses' chests are filled with blubber so they have extra padding when they walk and their chests hit the ground. Blubber also protects them from wind Walruses use their tusks for fighting. They have small ears and small eyes to minimize glare

some existing animals on Ometepe Island

Has deer, howler monkeys, armadillos, etc Small number of reptiles/amphibians; lots of insects Lots of plants and migratory birds Lots of dogs, not many cats

Florida's exotics

Has more exotic species than anywhere in the world Many Floridans keep exotic pets then release them in the wild when they decide they don't really want them These species have collapsed the native flora/fauna

California condors

Have grown back in numbers, but some people still kill them, often by poisoning Lack of feathers on their heads is an adaptation to eating dead things - they can die from sunlight

ungulates

Hooves sustain their body weight and allow them to move more quickly All ungulates are endangered or extinct in the Sahel Odd-toed or even-toed "true" ungulates

Gobi Desert

In Mongolia - Palearctic realm Temp ranges between -40 and 50 degrees Celcius Snow never melts, it evaporates Snow is the only source of water, so animals like camels must eat it and can only consume 10 liters per day The Gobi desert is a desert because the Himalayas consume moisture and leave the Gobi dry

biodiversity hotspots in the Neotropical Realm

In the central/narrow areas, the Isthmus of Panama has an unbelievable amount of biodiversity because animals constantly crossed it Other hotspots: Caribbean Islands, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Chilean Winter Rainfall - Valdivian Forest, Tubesh Coco Magdalena, Tropical Andes, Mesoamerica Some of these areas are more unique and have more biodiversity than the Amazon Rainforest

pronghorns

Migrate North to Canada from Montana Pronghorns are the fastest animals in North America Teams of researchers track their migrations in hopes of restoring the North American Serengeti. They want to recreate big open spaces in the prairies and bring the animals back

amphibians of the Atlantic Forest

450 recorded species - half are endemic One family of frogs are all critically endangered or extinct due to habitat loss

OR7

7th wolf found in Oregon OR7 was the first wolf in Oregon since 1947 and the first wolf to enter California since 1927 Came into California in December, stayed until March, then wasn't heard from again until 2014 with his mate. The two wolves with their offspring are considered a pack, called the "Rogue River Pack", and have more protection as a result

birds of the Atlantic Forest

900+ species, 15% are endemic Red-billed curassow Brazilian merganser is critically endangered, there are less than 200 remaining The Red-tailed Amazon Parrot - people keep as pets, but they are very hard to transport/keep alive Red-browed Amazon parrot - used to be most common bird in the Amazon, but is now functionally extinct

Bornean orangutan vs. Sumatran orangutan

Borneo orangutan has finer hair, while the Sumatran orangutan has thick/matted hair Borneo males have thick cheek pads

Eastern Forests

Broadleaf forests - male deer fight each other for mates Deciduous forests shed their leaves Winter is very severe in the Russian broadleaf forests. Vultures scavenge those who have died

brown bears (grizzlies)

Brown bears (Grizzly bears) are found in other realms and the Nearctic They are the largest and most dangerous bears Brown bears can weigh up to 1500 lbs and are as tall as 9 ft standing up

island grey fox

California People eradicated invasive species in grey fox's native area, the Channel Islands. Now there is a drought, so grey foxes go into urban areas for food/water

Greenland

Named by the original explorers who discovered it Very cold climate - it is an island Over 3,000 musk oxen live near the Greenland airport (they're kinda like the Geese of Canada in that sense) There are many migratory birds in this region Because the climate is changing so rapidly, animals at this latitude have a hard time adapting to changes in temp/climate

wolf

Nearctic Realm Almost hunted to extinction in North America There is a vast history of mythology behind wolves (werewolves, etc.), which is why they are so controversial among humans They have a bad rep, so humans are afraid of them and kill them Lots of ranchers are ranching in Yellowstone National Park for free, but this causes some damage. But ranchers are important for raising cattle Wolves are important to sustain the ecosystem and maintain grasses so ranchers can raise cattle

bobcat

Nearctic realm Smaller than a lynx Has a fringe of facial fur and small ears

cape cobra

Nervous and aggressive venomous snake whose bite causes respiratory failure; death occurs 2.5 hours after their bite

invertebrates

No vertebrates, cold-blooded Corals, mollusks, clams, crustaceans, protozoa, annelids (worms)

topography of the Nearctic Realm

North America, Greenland and Central Mexico Divided into regions: Greenland, Canadian Shield, Eastern and Western North America, Northern Mexico, and SW North America The Rocky Mountains act as a divider between climates and regions. The Appalachian Mountains also separate regions This realm is slightly more than half the width of the Ethiopian Realm, but it is slightly less than half the width of the Palearctic Realm Much less East ←→ West migration because of mountain ranges, so there is much less biodiversity

Crimson Tide

A movie about 1.5 million flamingoes in the Rift Valley who eat algae and shrimp found in the waters The waters are brackish, but the birds have lost their sense of taste/smell. Waters are so full of sodium that they will burn anything Flamingoes can determine where they water is hot/cold so they aren't burnt

cartilagenous fish

skeleton of cartilage, no bones Ex: sharks, rays, skates

animal geography

study of how animals interact with humans and where they are found in a world with human influence 2 types: historical (vicariance) and ecological

lesser apes

the gibbon species They have butt pads, reduced thumbs, larger brains, and greater mental capacities than monkeys

topography of the Oriental Realm

Oriental realm includes the Indian subcontinent, Malay Peninsula, and Archipelago, Indonesia to the Wallace Line OR is isolated by deserts and mountains from Palearctic Realm Vast majority of the region is tropical 75% of species in this realm are shared with Palearctic realm 60% of species are also found in the Ethiopian realm More than 50% are also found in the Nearctic realm There is a tremendous diversity of families in this realm because it shares variety with other realms. Animals have a good chance of surviving here because it's warm

birds of the Tropical Andes

Over 1700 bird species (600 endemic - highest endemism in the world) 100 different species of hummingbirds including the giant hummingbird Spatula hummingbird has a sick tail Andean Condor - almost at extinction, but making a comeback

biological corridors

Overpasses/underpasses are very common everywhere but in the U.S. Rope bridges are used by primates and rodents/marsupials Kenya, a developing nation, has spent millions of dollars on corridors for elephants P22 is a California mountain lion that crossed the 101 and the 405 freeways to get to Griffith Park and expand his range

Sahara Desert

Palearctic Realm As big as the U.S. During dust storms, sand can be blown 5000m above ground Reptiles have armored skin that protects them from sand storms

pallid sturgeon

Pallid sturgeon are endangered in the Mississippi River Many fish were killed by dams Every year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife release a new generation of pallid sturgeon into rivers

panda biology

Pandas are born the size of a stick of butter. They are only fertile for 16 years, they only ovulate for one month of the year, they can only get pregnant 2-3 days of the year, and they can only have one baby every 2 years They have no sex drive and like to live solitary lives 99% of a panda's diet consists of bamboo leaves and shoots (even though they are built to eat meat), which has almost no nutrients, so pandas live very low-energy lives. Pandas spend 16 hours of the day eating and in zoos they eat Purina Panda Chow Most captive pandas are conceived through artificial insemination

squirrels

Swift climbers and jumpers Females will mate with up to 8 different males in a single day during breeding season Can leap up to 8 ft Front legs are shorter for absorbing landing

Nicaraguan canal

The new canal will be within 1 mile of Ometepe island even though it is a World Heritage Site President Ortega was brought back into Nicaraguan office. The canal is his plan to raise GDP Ortega thought of the canal during his first term but he was kicked out of office that time because he was helping fund guerillas in Nicaragua Nicaragua is the 3rd poorest country in South America, so it's hard to tell them they can't try to build this canal Long term: if you destroy biodiversity by building the canal, you lose natural resources in the long-term

Mediterranean

There are many different civilizations and many that have come and gone. This means that there has been a lot of conflict and disrupted environment Many types of tortoises Mediterranean has 220 mammal species, 25 are endemic (11%)

extinctions

There are many more extinct species than extant (living) species. The ice age killed many, modern era kills many Ex: passenger pigeon, Yangtze river dolphin, Galapagos damsel fish, golden toad In 2014: Plectostoma sciaphilum, St. Helena giant earwig, Christmas Island forest skink, Algerian Killifish

Atlantic Forest

There are more than 24 endangered species in this hotspot Less than 10% of the original forest exists today 2 main regions: Narrow strip of coast = 20% of Atlantic Forest; Inland forest = the rest

tigers in Oriental Realm

There are now 28 tiger reserves in India because they need space, although many of these reserves don't even have tigers (10 out of 28 don't have tigers) Earliest tiger fossils found in Java There are big problems with tiger poaching Tiger skins are a symbol of wealth Tiger products are smuggled for use in Chinese medicine Killing tigers: steel traps, poison, electrocution traps, shooting

biodiversity hotspots in the Palearctic Realm

There are very few biodiversity hotspots in the palearctic realm because not many people live there. But the ones to know: Mediterranean Basin, Mountains of Southwest China, and the Caucasus

history of the Neotropical Realm

There has been a lot of movement via plate tectonics Subduction created the Andes The Neotropical Realm broke off from Pangaea as an island. Then, after thousands of years, the isthmus of Panama formed and connected the realms

polar bear babies

They breed in deep snow dens and usually give birth to twins. Babies stay with their moms for 28 months. They must be protected from male polar bears who aren't their fathers because the males will kill the babies in order to protect their own genetic lines Babies are born deaf and blind and often stay in dens for months until spring Mothers lose half their body weight in their dens over about a 5-month period. They convert their fat stores to milk for their cubs Almost half of all cubs die in their first year of life

Animal Planet

This channel no longer plays documentaries. Now it is a reality TV based channel because people won't choose to watch documentaries if given the choice.

wolf dogs

Wolves and dogs don't interbreed in the wild willingly. They are only bred in captivity Over 300,000 of them in the U.S. Wolf dogs are bolder than wolves because they are bred with a domestic animal - but they still have wild animal instincts, which doesn't make for a good combo

Sifaka

a type of lemur Traverses through thorny trees. They can leap far like bush babies, but they have to take off sideways and rotate their bodies in midair They have long back feet and a big toe so they can latch on to branches after leaping. Females can leap with a baby on their back They must jump on the ground because their legs are too long for their arms and they can't run on all fours They are hunted by the speedy fausa, which is like a giant mongoose, but sifakas can out jump them

relict species

an organism that at an earlier time was abundant in a large area but now occurs at only one or a few small areas

charismatic species

animals that have widespread popular appeal who are used to gain funding and achieve environmental goals Ex: gorillas, chimps, pandas, baboons

agnatha fish

finless, jawless, no stomach, gill pouches Ex: lamprey

placentals

majority of living mammals are placentals

loris

promisians - 3 types in Oriental Realm Have big eyes for night vision. They are very slow and eat gums out of trees They don't really have a tail

giant anteater

Cerrado Can weigh up to 140 lbs

Amur Leopard

Eastern forests of the Palearctic The rarest cat on Earth. There are only 40 individuals in the wild. The harsh Russian winters hinder their growth

sun bears of Indonesia

Eat fruit and spend a lot of their time in the trees They have very strong forearms and hefty claws; no tail

water buffalos

endangered in the Oriental Realm

fishes

Ectothermic (cold-blooded), have a lateral line (sense organ along side that senses movement), 2 chambered heart, gills, no external ears, no eyelids 3 types: agnatha fish, cartilagenous fish, bony fish

Wildlife Learning Center

Educating with animals Ambassador animals = animals that travel for educational purposes

center of origin (3 criteria)

1. The earliest known fossil evidence for a group 2. A fossil history of earlier progenitor of the group is found in a particular area 3. The region where the highest diversity of the particular group

flagship species

A species selected as an icon for a certain habitat or environmental/conservation issue People use gorillas as a flagship species to get others to care for conserving an area

rampant disease theory

A third theory says that rampant disease caused megafauna to disappear If humans brought over diseases, they could have wiped out populations Lots of credence to this theory

biological corridors in the U.S.

A to A (Algonquin to Adirondack Mountains) Yellowstone to Yukon - Is now a corridor thanks to Pluie. Has many stretches of uninhabited areas

methods of dispersal

Active: moves on its own power (migration, land bridges) Passive: dispersing organism has no active role in movement (flea on a dog)

sweepstakes distribution

Animals travel with land that breaks off into the ocean ex: happy face spiders to Hawaii

Ice Age theory

Another theory is climate change - Ice Age caused megafauna to disappear Climate transformed and megafauna didn't have anywhere to go

megafauna of Ethiopian Realm (basic info)

As ecosystem changed from forests to grasslands, Africa kept it's megafauna and has the most megafauna in the world Elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, etc.

Palearctic Realm

Asia and Europe, excluding the Oriental Realm Very vast from east to west along latitude lines Tundra = short & small trees w/permafrost Taiga = quite cold, but has trees (boreal forest conifers; 2 seasons: winter/summer Temperate Deciduous = 4 distinct seasons, animals who hibernate, trees lose their leaves Grassland = dominated by grasses; grazers Chaparral = includes the actual Mediterranean; mild/rainy winters and hot/dry summers; adapted to fire seasons Deserts = has 3 largest sand-based deserts (Sahara, Arabian, Gobi) - deserts are expanding Mountains = Himalayas border the region and block the Gobi, which keeps the Gobi dry (Orographic precipitation)

bats

Bats make up 40% of the mammal population in the Oriental Realm (typically 20% in other regions) They come in many sizes The flying fox can be up to 1 m wingspan Miotus is the smallest bat

history of Sahel Desert

Began drying out around 400 B.C. as people began to establish more, so water became scarce. As a result, the Sahel is shrinking and the Sahara is encroaching. Used to accommodate large migrations and grazing areas for moving livestock All major predators are endangered because of overhunting

black bears

Black bears are the smallest bears and only found in Nearctic Realm Black bears crossed the Bering Land Bridge 500,000 years ago 300-400 lbs at full size

Madagascar

Biodiversity hotspot - does not share animal families w/Africa 13,000 different plant species, 9,000 of which are endemic 60% of bird species are endemic Only one reptile family (Opluridae family) is endemic; but 96% of reptile species are endemic Madagascar has a lot of fragmented forest and this is a growing problem because it leads to extinctions

Mountains of Southwest China

Biodiversity hotspot - threatened with major deforestation Building of the Three Gorges Dam caused problems around the Yangtze River 25 species of pheasants live in the area Snow leopards in pockets within the region

Tropical Andes

Biodiversity hotspot in NR Richest and most diverse region on Earth Ranges from Venezuela to Chile, mostly along the coast of the West side of South America Has many different heights and ranges which allows for many ecosystems Over 1700 bird species (600 endemic, highest endemism in the world) 600 mammal species - 75 endemic (70 of these are threatened)

Ometepe Island

Biodiversity hotspot in NR - Island lake in Nicaragua Less than 1/5 the size of Oahu The closer the island is to the mainland, the greater the chance of biodiversity Habitat fragmentation on islands (islands on islands) = not good It has a very low level of animal biodiversity Ometepe Island has 2 volcanoes - one is active, one is dormant; they are connected by a small land bridge Has good climate and good plant biodiversity 5 miles off shore No ocean currents, but winds that move currents away from the island Most existing animals on the islands were introduced by humans There are no populations arriving on the island so many species on it will be extinct on the island in a few years Has been named a World Heritage Site

Cerrado

Biodiversity hotspot in NR - takes up 21% of Brazil Much like California - primarily woodland, savanna, and dry forest Lots of rainfall for up to 6-7 months - when it isn't raining, there is a heavy fire season, which is increasing Many plants are adapted to fire - seeds expand with heat so fire is important There are only 14 endemic species despite the vast biodiversity (most are rodents)

California

Biodiversity hotspot in the Nearctic Realm Many of the Mediterranean crops have been removed. Large populations also contribute to declining habitats

Indo Burma

Biodiversity hotspot in the Oriental Realm Over 2 million square km of SE Asia Constantly finding new species here because there has been a lot of war in places nearby (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam) There are still unexploded bombs in Laos, so it's taken a while to clear the area, which means there is a lot of undisturbed territory 60 endemic birds, 70 endemic mammals, 200 endemic reptiles, 600 endemic fishes

Caucasus

Biodiversity hotspot located between the Black Sea and the Caspean Sea The area is in trouble for many reasons including current political/economic troubles In the Ukraine, Chernobyl radioactive site now has a ton of plant regrowth and returning animals who seem to be fine and are not showing effects of radiation Economic struggles have caused forest depletion, which has endangered two species of mountain goats

Eastern Afromontane Region

Biodiversity hotspot near the horn of Africa covering Sudan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ethiopia Of this original ecosystem, it went from 1 million square km to 100,000 square km due to agricultural development 1,000 endemic species of birds Long rains can sometimes persist for several months straight Ex: blue winged goose is related to the Selb goose of S. America--species that left Africa to S. America

gibbons

Calls are very distinctive because this is how they converse with each other They are able to hang/swing from tree to tree. Their wrists have a ball and socket joint allowing for biaxial rotation (rotating wrists all around reduces energy required in arms/shoulders) Have long hands/feet and a cleft between their first and second digits of their hands The fastest swinging primate Majority of gibbons will break their bones at least once in their lives and some fall to their deaths

Beluga Sturgeon

Caucasus World's largest freshwater fish (up to 7,000 lbs) They feed on other fish, seals, and birds They can live up to 110 years and they mature at 10-14 years Travel upstream to spawn Beluga caviar is very prized and at high demand, which has caused a 90% decline in population - the caviar grosses around $100 million per year

Brazillian Tapir

Cerrado Babies are spotted/striped for camouflage They are great swimmers They hide in water, and stamp their feet and whistle for defense

giant armadillo

Cerrado Can weigh up to 71 lbs Cannot roll up in a ball Almost extinct because they are hunted for their meat. Sometimes nocturnal during the hotter months - changes when it hunts due to temp It balances on its tail to make itself big for defense

maned wolf

Cerrado Has its own genus Largest canine of the region, but only about 50 lbs

biome

Collection of ecosystems defined by plant structures and climate Each biome has many ecosystems which all adapt to different climates/microclimates Tropical, temperate, dry, rainy, woodland, forest, savanna, desert, tundra, etc

South American tamandua

Climbing anteater They have strong grips and a muscular tail that can support their entire weight

amphibians

Cold-blooded w/ backbones, skins like fish and reptiles, water and land, have gills, develop in water, most adults spend time on land, breathe through skin Their skin makes them more vulnerable to extinction, climate, dehydration, etc. Many have poisonous glands for defense Some go through estivation, which is like hybernation but when it's hot/dry

cougars

Cougars are still a predatory threat to bison Hunters often kill cougars because they feel they are a threat to humans and livestock American Prairie Reserve peeps are trying to prove cougars are not a threat

ferrets

Critically endangered in the American prairies There are only about 12 individuals left Black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs are bound together so that eliminating one endangers the other

primates of Afromontane

DNA changes as the needs of the animal changes. Primates have very similar DNA allowing for interbreeding. Collobos monkeys are a snack treat for chimpanzees

aardvark

Eastern Afromontane Also a living fossil Eats ants and insects. They dig holes that other animals will use, and aerate the soil Termite mounds are large shelters that are used by other animals after aardvarks and pangolins eat them

African bullfrog

Eastern Afromontane Can weigh up to 4.5 lbs Moist and dry habitat Carnivorous: will eat birds, reptiles, rodents, etc Invasive and endangered species

giraffe

Eastern Afromontane Fur serves as a chemical defense (filled with antibodies and insect repellents) - this gives them a unique smell They fight with their necks and can kill each other Babies are born at 6 ft and grow an inch per day

rain frog

Eastern Afromontane Gets its water from the rain Lives in deserts in burrows; it's round so it can fit into holes Cannot hop so it creeps around and catches insects outside its burrow Doesn't have tadpoles - has yolked eggs Only 2 inches long, so they puff up and secrete a nasty tasting mucous that keeps predators away

golden mole

Eastern Afromontane Has no eyes A burrowing animal with a naked nose for ultra sense Hind-feet are webbed for shoveling dirt Strong shoulders for digging and big middle claw for breaking rocks Threatened for oils found in their stomachs and construction is destroying their habitat

pangolin

Eastern Afromontane Like an armadillo, but much bigger Related to carnivores like wolves and dogs Often kept as pets and given as gifts to royals; in Victorian age they were given to the queen as a sign of luck (this is why they are endangered)

elephant shrew

Eastern Afromontane Living fossil - they are virtually unchanged from their prehistoric relatives Was considered an ungulate. But it is related to aardvarks, manitees, moles, and elephants Came from Laurasia into Africa. They are adapted to several different habitats

Giant African land snail

Eastern Afromontane One of the most invasive species in the world because they are kept as pets They're annoying because they eat stucco off walls in Florida Size of a grown man's hand

tsetse fly

Eastern Afromontane Vector of disease & keystone species Without this fly, its environment would collapse because it keeps the number of ungulates in check by spreading diseases But it kills off livestock and makes humans sick

hippopotamus

Eastern Afromontane Very dangerous animals They must be in water most of the day to protect their skin Secrete a red mucous that keeps their skin moist

nile crocodile

Eastern Afromontane - found wherever there is water Crocodiles have a high walk and they swim with their tales Can grow to 21 ft and weigh up to 2200 lbs Non-discriminate eaters; they kill 200 people every year in Africa Their brains and hearts are more advanced than any other reptile Almost a living fossil (haven't changed too much)

biodiversity hotspots in the Ethiopian realm

Eastern Afromontane region and Madagascar

hog-nosed bat

Endemic to Indo Burma no larger than a bumble bee

golden toad

Endemic to Mesoamerica Went extinct in only one season Layed its eggs in ephemeral pools which are dependent on rain. Maybe one season they didn't get rain, or they contracted a disease from humans?

species found in Oriental and Palearctic realms

Eurasian wild pig Mousedeer - very tiny, between 6 and 12 cm Leopards

fausa

Females have many suitors but ultimately decide who they mate with They have flexible ankles to traverse trees

other giant fish in the Mekong River

Giant carp can grow to 250 lbs Giant stingrays can grow to 7x7 ft and around 771 lbs Giant isopods (river lice) are sometimes the size of a grown man's hand Irrowatti Dolphin - probably extinct, but they estimate there are between 70 and 90 individuals still living

endangered species in California

Giant kangaroo rat (not actually giant) - keystone species Least Bell's Viro live in sage and are essential to the ecosystem Yosemite toad Tiger salamander Island grey fox Nelson's antelope squirrel California condors albatross

flying squirrels

Glide with a furry membrane; can travel up to 50 ft gaps They aren't territorial so they forage close together They steer with their tails and outstretched limbs They sleep during the days to avoid predator birds

Mesoamerican mammals (& flagship species)

Howler monkeys, capuchins, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, jaguars, Baird's tapir Capuchin - only one species of capuchin is not endangered Central American squirrel monkeys are endangered Baird's Tapir and Jaguar are flagship species

birds

Identified by feathers, horny beaks, scaly feet, lay eggs, endothermic, four chambered hearts, streamlined bodies, good vision, can fly, very high metabolic rates (so they have to eat a lot), body temp around 40˚C, most lack smell sense, have hollow bones, only one opening for excretion besides the mouth

return of bison to the U.S.

In 2005, WWF biologists moved 16 bison to a Montana reserve First time in 120 years the bison were back in the wild prairie Bison are a keystone species They numbered 87 (as of 2007), and eventually hit 100 not long after

black howler monkeys

Mesoamerica Howl in morning/night Eat plants Spend 60% of their time resting Digestive system is similar to the panda's - they are meant to eat meat, but only eat plants Black howler monkey males have white balls

emblematic, extinct species in California

Jaguars Grizzlies - The last Grizzly was shot in 1922. People used to rope grizzlies and force them to fight bulls Wolves Bison - Gone from California, but reintroduced on Catalina Island

Jaguar

Jaguars are the New World's only representation of the panther family - used to range in South America Resembles leopards w/stalky legs, but much more powerful Tan with dark rosets They are the 3rd largest cats in the world The last jaguar seen in North America was killed by a ranger in Utah

lamprey

Jawless fish that uses suction and teeth to chew through the sides of fish and suck their fluid insides out There is an invasion of these in the great lakes There are 3 species of these in the Caucasus A species of agnatha fish

Albertine Rift

Known fault in the Afromontane region that created the Great Rift Valley Has the most endemic species of birds, amphibians, and mammals than anywhere else in the world

Biological Dynamics Forest Fragmentations Project

Largest scale and longest standing study of habitat fragmentation in the world (ongoing in Brazil) 1000 square km study area Rainforest has its own ecosystem from top to bottom (ground animals and tree animals) - this creates very fertile soil This study site made the Amazon the "poster child" of conservation because it's a charismatic land mass because of a combination of biodiversity, endangerment, and unique species Once rainforests are cleared, they will not grow back for thousands of years - once the trees are gone, the fertility/nutrients are gone

Bering Strait

Laurasia was a combination of modern North America and modern Europe/Asia One of the largest transfers of fauna happened along the Bering Strait - used to be at a much lower latitude than it is now Most of the Bering Strait is now under water. Sometimes during the winters, most of the water in between is frozen solid You can see Russia from Alaska (only 59 miles) Today, the only animals that will cross over are arctic animals like foxes, polar bears, walruses, and musk oxen Several countries believe there are oil reserves under the melting ice and they want to claim areas along the Bering Strait Animals that crossed millions of years ago: camels, elephants, horses (crossed over to Eurasia, became extinct in N. America)

American Prairie Reserve

Less than 100 years after Lewis and Clark's journey, nearly all of the herds were gone from the prairies The goal is to stitch together a reserve larger than Yellowstone East of the Rockies and North of the Mississippi (not sure about this) The prairie is threatened by the Keystone Pipeline. There was a large oil spill in the Yellowstone River very recently, and this could happen if the Keystone Pipeline is built.

mammals

Live birth, hair, females produce milk, 3 middle ear bones for balance, diaphragm which separates thoracse and abdominal cavity, red blood cells with no nucleus, 4 chambered hearts 3 types: Placentals, Marsupials, Monotremes

prairie dogs

Live in large numbers for safety Rattle snakes are a threat to prairie dogs, but the dogs often warn each other of danger Prairie dogs are known for burying snakes alive Prairie dogs are threatened by plagues spread by fleas. The plagues threatened to wipe them out, so in 2007, humans dusted them for fleas to save them A living colony is a cornerstone for an entire ecosystem. Prairie dogs are very important in the prairie Only 2% of prairie dog populations exist from when they thrived during Lewis and Clark's expedition Prairie dogs are a keystone species because they fertilize soil and ensure grasses grow correctly Many farmers and ranchers have killed them off because they didn't understand their roles

elephant bird

Madagascar Has been extinct since the 17th century, but was the largest bird in the world Eggs could be up to 3.5 ft in circumfrence

golden bamboo lemur

Madagascar - the most specialized lemur Bamboos are filled with cyanide, but these lemurs eat 12 times more than would normally kill any animal

faunal interchanges

Many species ended up in places via land bridges like the Isthmus of Panama, Bering Straight. These interchanges happen over thousands of years

Great American Biotic Interchange

Many species went from North to South, not many went/survived from South to North Isthmus of Panama

disc tongued frog

Mediterranean Cannot extend their tongues Relict species

fire salamander

Mediterranean One of the largest salamanders in the world 1/3 of all salamanders in the world live in the Mediterranean

flagship species in the Mediterranean

Monk seal Iberian lynx: critically endangered Barbary deer: only a couple hundred individuals Barbary or Gibraltar Ape

big cats of the Nearctic

Mountain lions used to have vast coast to coast range - individuals can have a 500 sq mile range Canadian lynx Bobcat Jaguar and Jaguarundi Lynx

red panda

Mountains of Southwest China Not related to the Giant Panda. They eat bamboo also, but they eat many other roots and foods/insects/fish. They have a sexual desire and a breeding season - they can have multiple babies at a time They were wanted as pets so they were taken to Victorian areas and overseas Red pandas were very widespread millions of years ago, but there are less than 10,000 in the wild today Some fossils have been found in Tennessee Came across the Bering Strait, but now they're only found in the foothills of the Himalayas

history of pandamonium

Mountains of Southwest China Teddy Roosevelt's sons killed some pandas in China and brought back their skins. Then everyone else wanted to hunt them too A fashion socialite named Ruth found a baby panda and smuggled it back to the U.S. and brought it everywhere. But she couldn't feed it properly so she gave it to the zoo. They couldn't figure out how to feed it either so it died. But Ruth started "PANDAmonium." **If humans weren't working to keep pandas alive, they would be extinct

golden snub-nosed monkey

Mountains of Southwest China - live at a higher elevation than any other primates on earth Logging was destroying their habitats until conservation efforts They are just as endangered as pandas, but are more vital to the environment because they eat and spread lichens Brought the concept of conserving full ecosystems (not just panda) to China - first photos ever taken captivated Chinese and got people to car about them (growing ecotourism)

old world monkeys

Old world monkeys have pads on their butts so they can sit on branches all day. They have long tails for balance, and reduced thumbs. Ischial callosity is an old world monkey

topography of Ethiopian Realm

Olduvai Gorge - "cradle of humanity" Great Rift Valley - fault has altered topography Mt. Kilimanjaro Lake Victoria - 2nd largest fresh water lake Congo Basin - 2nd largest rainforest

umbrella species

One animal that is selected as a "flagship" type of species so they indirectly save the other species within their habitat Ex: By saving pandas, all the other animals in the panda's habitat are saved like the snub-nosed monkey

Asiatic Rhino

Oriental Realm Historically in Nepal/India, but now its numbers are falling

Jackal

Oriental Realm Most closely related to coyotes

Asiatic lion

Oriental Realm Only 200 left in the wild. Its historic range was Northern India to Saudi Arabia and Greece/Italy

tree shrews

Oriental Realm - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia Don't share enough characteristics with primates or insectivores so they have their own family They have exceptional hearing, smell, and eyesight

biodiversity hotspots

Places identified as areas with very high levels of unique biodiversity that are also under pressure and possible danger.

Pluie

Pluie, the wolf, covered about 40,000 square miles (10 times the size of Yellowstone) in only 4 years, in order to breed with many different packs Pluie was shot and killed by a rancher

amphibians of the Tropical Andes

Poison dart frog are some of the most poisonous organisms on Earth Harlequin frogs are very susceptible to bacteria About 60+ species of harlequin frogs and 56 are critically endangered Amphibian fauna in tropical Andes are some of the most threatened in the world All amphibians are very susceptible to changes in environments; there is a lot of change in this hotspot

polar bears

Polar bears wander across arctic sheets and swim. They are strong swimmers with large and slightly webbed paws w/fur on the bottoms. They can swim hundreds of miles, but this is dangerous if they run out of energy or food. They have black skin beneath their fur to absorb heat Polar bears stalk seals where they come up for air. They will also eat carcasses if it comes to it They don't have any known enemies besides humans Originally from Siberia

history of Ethiopian Realm

Previously bound by Laurasia and Gondawana Used to be covered in evergreen forests Climate became dry and most of the forest died and became grasslands There was a landbridge that connected Asia and Africa

reptiles

Primarily tetrapods (4 legs) besides snakes and some lizards, have epidermal scales (protect from injury/drying out), some have dermal scales (turtles underlayer of scales)

slender loris

Primate of South India They can hold on extremely tightly to branches and they have a long reach No index finger, gap in between their thumb and other fingers, which helps with their strong grips They eat berries and insects, and live in small groups of 4 or 5 When they are alarmed, they freeze because they can't outrun many predators Wash their hands with their urine

puff adder

Responsible for the most human deaths Can grow up to 3 ft They are camouflaged and they're very wide snakes

rewilding (Nearctic)

Restoring landscapes to the way they were before humans even inhabited North America - Started by a group of ecologists They want to bring back modern-day equivalent animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants (mammoths), camels, bison, horses This is also a problem because animals aren't accustomed to the climate or latitude Bringing other predators into the land causes direct competition with existing predators Criteria: 1) area must be preserved, 2) habitats (reserves) should be connected, 3) keystone species returned

black mamba

Second largest snake behind the King Cobra Death caused by suffocation from paralysis, but human deaths are rare They have black mouths and can travel up to 12 mph They have a deadly neurotoxin in their venom and continue to strike after the first strike Like to travel up through the floorboards of cars

other animals in panda territory

Sichuan Takim, and golden snub-nosed monkey

SLOSS

Single Large or Several Small Jared Diamond's method for determining size or shape of nature reserves

topography of the Neotropical Realm

South and Central America through the Yucatan Peninsula (large North to South) The many small islands in the Ring of Fire are part of this realm as well Many islands off the coast of South America appear and disappear Tropical rainforest dominates There are several ecosystems because the realm is very large from north to south and covers many lines of latitude. Latitudes start at the equator and extends about 60 degrees South (most amount of sunlight to least amount) Has 45% of the world's rainforests - Another 25% of rainforests are on islands and in Australia

meerkats

Spend the night in burrows and find all their food on the ground. They can climb even though they aren't quite adapted to it, which is helpful because they have many predators. They climb as high as they can to get a good view of the landscape

Oriental Realm families

TREES Colugo, tree shrews, gibbons, tarsiers The entire region of the oriental realm used to be densely forested, thus, these animals have adapted to that Lots of trees = lots of primates (about 187 species) This realm is the only place in the world where every class of primates are represented

dental formula

Teeth reflect the tropic level of animals and mammals are highest on the trophic food chain Dental characteristics are main identifiers for different species

lowland vs. mountain gorillas

The Ethiopian Highlands have 30 endemic species of primates Hair is more lush on mountain gorillas. Less forest cover = lighter hair color Mountain gorillas have black hair and lowland gorillas have brown hair Mountain gorillas have a different brow and jaw line because they eat thistles which are the main food source in the highlands

geography of Ethiopian Realm

The Sahara Desert markedly divides the Ethiopian realm It is an ISLAND = bound by the Saharan Desert and water on all sides

characteristics of island biodiversity

The closer the island is to the mainland, the greater the chance of biodiversity Habitat fragmentation on islands (islands on islands) = not good Factors for species survival on islands = Degree of isolation, length of isolation, size of island, habitat suitability, location relative to ocean currents, chance, human activity

Great American Biotic Interchange (animal requirements)

This happened over thousands of years There must be food on the other side of landbridges before the animal can cross. Most animals went from North to South, but some went the other way and some couldn't make it Only animals that made it/survived from South to North: opossum and porcupines

three-banded armadillo

WLC - Tattoo Only species of armadillo that can roll up into a ball entirely Insectivore, with long claws and long tongues to dig in the dirt Mammal species

boomslang

Tree-dwelling snake whose bite prevents blood-clotting Makes you bleed internally

gaboon viper

Triangular head, longer fangs, lives in forested areas Contains the most venom of all snakes, but it's venom is not as toxic as some others

yellow-tailed wooly monkey

Tropical Andes largest endemic mammal in Peru and 1/3 mammals to only live in only one country

camelids

Tropical Andes llama, vicuña, alpaca, guano Vicuñas have some of the finest wool in the world, which almost drove them to extinction

spectacled bear

Tropical Andes only bear in South America and it's endemic to this hotspot

mountain tapir

Tropical Andes thicker coat than most tapirs

Canadian lynx

Tufted ears and long tails Nocturnal and adapted to snow

western screech owl

WLC - Zeus Zeus only has 5-10% of his vision, and has a starry-eyed look so he's famous Nocturnal - found in California Regurgitate pellets of bones/fur every day

red-tailed boa

WLC - Zig zag Found in Central and South America and can survive in many different habitats They can swallow things that are double or triple their size It's illegal to import pythons or bring them across state lines Ectothermic Constrictors - not venomous

endemic species of Mesoamerica

Van Gelder's bat Bang's mountain squirrel - lives at 8500 ft or higher Pocket gopher Golden toad 20% of amphibians in the region are endemic

hyrax

Very capable of climbing in trees because they have feet with special muscles and moist pads. They get everything they need from trees. They have adapted spines

North American porcupine

WLC - Alby They have spurs and hairs Their white hairs are called guard hairs and act like whiskers on a cat because porcupines have terrible eyesight They have 30,000 quils that are for protection

red fox

WLC - Deliliah Can be found in CA Red foxes originally found in Eurasia and were brought to North America. They are very adaptable Red foxes live to about 10 years in the wild and maybe 14 in captivity Can cohabitate with gray foxes who live in trees

alligator

WLC - Emmet Have rounded snouts, while crocs have V-shaped snouts They grow about 1 ft/year for the first 6 years of life and can grow to 15-20 ft No longer on the endangered species list, but still protected because crocodiles are extremely endangered Have 3 eyelids - One is called a nictitating membrane which is see-through so they can see underwater

squirrel monkeys

WLC - Kingston Sometimes, females will abandon their motherly duties and babies are either alone or adopted They have large canines for eating fleshy fruits Found in Central and South America Live in large groups of up to 300 Rub their urine over everything that belongs to them

sloths

WLC - Lola, two-toed sloth Their best defense is to be still/slow They are nocturnal So slow that algae can grow on their fur - they eat the algae There is a mutualistic relationship between sloths and dung-beetles They only poop/pee once a week Body temp ranges between 50 and 110 degrees They always stay upside down Gestation period = 8-9 months

African bull frog

WLC - Pixie Can grow to 4-4.5 lbs Reproduce at full size Females lay around 300-400 eggs and males take care of the eggs and tadpoles (if they don't eat them) Can survive anywhere it's moist in dry or humid environments If the area becomes dry, males will dig holes to water sources

kinkachoo (honey bear)

WLC - Shiketa Found in Central and South American trees Omnivores, but prefer only fruits They have been seen stealing honey from beehives because the sting doesn't penetrate their thick skin (how they got their name) Related to raccoons, which are frenzied biters

serval

WLC - Slay African cats found in the grasslands They are the cat with the longest leg to body ratio because they have to jump high enough to eat birds They can jump up to 15 ft in the air from a sitting position Their spots and stripes allow them to stay camouflaged in the grasslands

red tagoo

WLC - Sweet cheeks Found in Central and South America Male's have large cheeks to attract females They hibernate in groups when it gets too cold and steal holes from other animals so they can huddle for warmth

characteristics of species especially vulnerable to extinction

Wide ranging, poor dispersal abilities, specialized requirements, low fecundity, vulnerable to human exploitation or persecution

ecosystem

biological community and its physical environment all living and nonliving things interacting in one environment

deadly snakes of the Eastern Afromontane

black mamba, puff adder, cape cobra, boomslang, and gaboon viper

Asian Elephants

elephants are found in OR and ER Much smaller than African elephants. Found on many islands because they swam there. Found on most islands besides Singapore All throughout India, there is a lot of public attraction to them A lot of elephants kept swimming to Sri Lanka Have a finger on their trunks for eating roots Ears are different from African elephants

vicariance animal geography

geographic isolation of populations from landmarks such as mountains, continental drift, etc 2 separated populations adapt to separate environments and evolve into 2 different species

relict species of Madagascar

ground roller, cuckoo roller, mesites

species found in Oriental and Ethipian realms

pangolin elephants civets

sort of domesticated animals

honeybees - used for honey, etc. pigeons - used to send messages, etc.

Mesoamerica

largest biodiversity hotspot in NR and 3rd largest in the world Includes pretty much all of Central America The isthmus is part of the hotspot as well - there are many different ecosystems Well over 1000 endemic species

elusive Giant Catfish

more large fish reside in the Mekong than anywhere else Can weigh over 600 lbs. They are critically endangered so fishermen are now required to release them They spawn in the Northern Thailand region of the Mekong

habitat

natural environment in which an animal thrives Organisms must have adequate food/water/shelter/conditions/climate ex: Clownfish lives/thrives in coral

monotremes

only 3 species of monotremes they lay eggs ex: platapus

niche

organism's physiological adaptation to and interaction w/ its physical environment ex: snow fox has small eyes for protection against the sun

bony fish

oval or flat-shaped, scales, eggs that float or sink

convergent evolution

unrelated birds form similar body shapes/features to adapt to a certain region

species found in Oriental and Nearctic realms

yellow thwarted martin

marsupials

young stay in mother's pouch and attach to nipple for development developed 175 million years ago only marsupial in North America is the Virginia Opossum