Download Classification and Diversity of Life

Classification and Diversity of Life
“On Your Own” at the Virginia Aquarium (MP)
 Observe the river otters in their habitat.
 Read about the river otters living in the Owl’s Creek Marsh habitat.
-Create a food chain based on the information provided.
(be sure to identify the producers and consumers)
 Go to the bird section.
Read about the origin of birds.
-Describe some similarities and differences between reptiles and birds based on the morphology as well
as origin history. ______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
 Find the Marsh Metropolis tank with blue crabs and fish.
-Organisms are classified with scientific names under the binomial nomenclature system.
-What are the two parts of the scientific name of an organism? _____________ & _____________
Correctly write the scientific name of the blue crab. _____________________________________
The striped killifish and mummichog are more closely related than the other fish because both are
classified in the same what? _________________
 Stand still to observe the fiddler crabs in the mud room.
-Why do the male fiddler crabs have one large claw? _______________________________________
-What is the function of the small claws that both the male and female fiddler crabs have?
__________________________________________________________________________________
 Read about the case of mistaken identity about snakes.
-Describe the importance of properly identifying different species of snakes. ___________________
________________________________________________________________________________
-Can you think of another example of why it would be important for different species of organisms to
be correctly classified and identified. __________________________________________________
 Walk with a partner to one of the scenic overlooks along the Nature Trail and look
for some of the many birds that hang out around Owl’s Creek.
-Describe the characteristics of the birds you see. Describe the shape, build, beak size, neck size, leg
length, etc. ________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
-Which of the bird characteristics you described are adaptations for feeding on land? _____________
_________________________________________________________________________________
-Which of the bird characteristics you described are adaptations for feeding in the water? _________
_________________________________________________________________________________
 Importance of biodiversity.
-Based on the information you learned today from the different exhibits at the Marsh Pavilion, why
can there be so much biodiversity in a marsh habitat? _____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
-Briefly describe why biodiversity in an ecosystem is important. _____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
 To discuss back at school
-Why is the classification system of organisms so important?
-What is the correct order of the classification system and who discovered binomial nomenclature?
-How is biodiversity shown in a particular environment?
-Can you describe several examples of the importance of biodiversity and what would happen to an
environment without biodiversity?
Classification and Diversity of Life
“On Your Own” at the Virginia Aquarium (MP)
 Observe the river otters in their habitat.
 Read about the river otters living in the Owl’s Creek Marsh habitat.
-Create a food chain based on the information provided.
(be sure to identify the producers and consumers)
 Go to the bird section.
Read about the origin of birds.
-Describe some similarities and differences between reptiles and birds based on the morphology as well
as origin history. _Both typically possess claws; lay eggs; light skeletons; ________________________
_birds have feathers (reptiles have scales); birds fly (reptiles don’t) birds have a beak (reptiles have teeth)_
____________________________________________________________________________________
 Find the Marsh Metropolis tank with blue crabs and fish.
-Organisms are classified with scientific names under the binomial nomenclature system.
-What are the two parts of the scientific name of an organism? __genus__ & __species__
Correctly write the scientific name of the blue crab. ___Callinectes sapidus___
The striped killifish and mummichog are more closely related than the other fish because both are
classified in the same what? __genus__
 Stand still to observe the fiddler crabs in the mud room.
-Why do the male fiddler crabs have one large claw? __to attract a female mate__
-What is the function of the small claws that both the male and female fiddler crabs have?
__the smaller claws function to bring food to the crab’s mouth__
 Read about the case of mistaken identity about snakes.
-Describe the importance of properly identifying different species of snakes. _so that people know_
_which snakes are venomous _______________________________________________________
-Can you think of another example of why it would be important for different species of organisms to
be correctly classified and identified. Identify endangered species; venomous vs. non-venomous
 Walk with a partner through the outside aviary. Use the identification sheets
to help you identify some Virginia birds!
1. Place a check next to the birds you can identify.
2. Circle the birds that are adapted for feeding in the water.
3. Place a star next to the birds that are adapted for feeding on land.
______ Great Blue Heron
______ Great Horned Owl
______ Woodpecker
______ Great Egret
______ Brown Pelican
______ Canadian Geese
______ Wild Turkey
______ Turkey Vulture
______ Duck (several species)
 Importance of biodiversity.
-Based on the information you learned today from the different exhibits at the Marsh Pavilion, why
can there be so much biodiversity in a marsh habitat? _____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
-Briefly describe why biodiversity in an ecosystem is important. ____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
 To discuss back at school
-Why is the classification system of organisms so important?
-What is the correct order of the classification system and who discovered binomial nomenclature?
-How is biodiversity shown in a particular environment?
-Can you describe several examples of the importance of biodiversity and what would happen to an
environment without biodiversity?