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BIOL 444 Natural History of Birds
Lecture Exam
24 May 2011
Name: …………………………………………………………
1. Archaeopteryx is considered to represent an evolutionary intermediate between
theropod dinosaurs and modern birds. List three traits that Archaeopteryx shares with
each group (6 points):
Many options here ½ point if a character is found in both groups (i.e., hollow
bones) – See Origin of Birds Lecture
Theropods
Modern Birds
1) Similar 4 digit arrangement of feet
1) Long arms
2) Semilunate carpal
2) Narrowing of face
3) Shoulder socket similar
3) Reduction in # and size of teeth
4) Nesting behavior
4) Enlarged braincase
5) Reduced fibula
6) Feathers - asymetrical
2. There are two hypotheses regarding the origins of birds from theropod dinosaurs that
we discussed in class. Identify one hypothesis and give two pieces of evidence that
support your chosen hypothesis (4 points).
Thecodont and Theropod hypotheses or Cursorial versus Arboreal hypotheses
See Bird Origin Lecture
3. In the diagram below sketch and label the following air sections: High pressure area,
low pressure area, slower airflow, and faster airflow. In addition, draw and label
arrows representing the four main physical forces that affect flight. Below your
figure, briefly (1-2 sentences) describe how the avian wing creates lift (12 points).
1 point for each of these labels (8pts)
Any summarized version of the following will get full credit (4pts):
Air passes over or under the wing as the bird moves forward, or as the wind
blows. Air that moves over the top of the wing travels further to get across the
wing, thus it speeds up. Air pressure drops because the same amount of air is
exerting its pressure over a greater area, sucking the wing up. Air going below
slows down, generates more pressure and effectively pushes the wing up. A bird
with air moving over its wings is pulled up from above and pushed up from below.
The more curved the aerofoil the greater the lift providing the degree of curve
does not impede the flow of air
4. While feathers are most commonly associated with flight, they have several other key
functions. Briefly identify and describe two functions of feathers other than for flight (4
points).
Insulation
Secondary sexual character (attract mates, displays)
Advertise nutritional condition, dominance, etc
7. List 3 differences between the mammalian and avian respiratory system (3 points).
One way air flow (vs two-way)
Air sacs (none in mammals)
Breaths controlled by sternum (vs diaphragm)
Cross-current exchange of oxygen and CO2
8. What are 2 ways that birds respond to cold stress and 2 ways that they respond to
heat stress (4 points)?
Cold: Fluff up feathers, huddle with other birds, find a protected microhabitat, go
into torpor/hypothermia, tuck in bill/feet/wings, reduce blood flow to feet/skin of
head, shiver
Heat: panting, ruffle feathers, wet abdomen, expose legs, expose wing bend
9. Which of the following are real functions of the air sac system in birds (4 points)?
a. Air sacs are infrasound detectors
b. In some cases, air sacs are used in sexual displays
c. Air sacs produce lift by holding buoyant gases
d. Air sacs facilitate two-way airflow
e. Air sacs push air out when air pressure increases in them
10. Indicate whether each of the following statements is True or False (6 points):
All birds have feathers covering their entire body
_____F_____
Aerodynamic conditions are affected by the habitat that a bird occupies
____T______
Avian hearts beat at lower rates than those of similar-sized mammals
___T_______
Hummingbirds have exceptionally muscular gizzards
____F______
Birds evolved uric acid waste to minimize their weight for flight
____T______
High wing loading leads to lower cost of flight and higher maneuverability _____F_____
11. Which of the following are roles played by the avian circulatory system? (3 pts)
a. Transportation of nutrients to the entire body
b. Transportation of oxygen and CO2
c. Increases the frequency of waste filtration by the kidneys
d. Maintains body heat
e. Plays an important role in conserving water
13. Which of the following do females use to assess male quality (3 points):
ALL
a. size of song repertoire
b. age
c. frequency of singing
d. complexity of ornaments
e. complexity of displays
14. Explain in no more than 6 sentences two mechanisms by which a species can
minimize competition (or risk of extinction) with another species (4 pts.)
Habitat and resource partitioning: eat different things, or of different sizes, eat at
different times of the day, at different canopy levels, use primarily different
habitats=minimum habitat overlap, eat at different parts of the plants, etc.
15. Indicate whether each of the following statements is True or False (6 points):
F___In birds, males are the heterogametic sex
__T___Sperm are cheap, eggs are costly (energetically)
___T__ A high percentage of bird species are monogamous although Extra Pair
Copulations (EPCs) occur frequently
__T__ High testosterone levels increase spermatogenesis but also increase risk of
injury
__F___Females allow EPCs for opportunities to observe males’ extravagant
displays
__T___Food availability and parental care are two of the proximate factors that
affect clutch size in birds
19. Identify whether each of the following statements is True or False (6 points):
___F___ Birds of open habitats tend to have simple and low-pitched songs
__T____ Some male/female bird pairs maintain their territory and pair bond by singing
duets
___F___ During the subsong period of song learning, syllables are stored without
practice
___T___ Some birds enlarge their vocal repertoires by mimicking the songs of other
species
___F___The long, coiled tracheas of storks and cranes contribute to their melodic calls
20. Describe one aspect of how migration is different from other kinds of movements that
a bird may have (different from i.e. daily foraging trips or dispersal after attaining
maturity)? (Short answer, max. 2 sentences) (2pts.)
Long distance, to exploit resources in other habitat on a temporary (months of the year)
basis, requires immense amount of energy, way more risky. Affected by daylight,
photoperiod, external pressures.
21. Pick a course topic(or sub-topic) in which you have plenty of knowledge and that has
not been covered in any question of this exam. In a paragraph of no more than 8 solid
sentences (min. 5 sentences), demonstrate with the most relevant information the solid
and deep knowledge that you have gained for that topic during the quarter. As
supporting information, you can cite papers you read and provide examples from the text
book or from your own field observations. Note: No B.S., if you do…you will miss all of
your points! (6pts)
Lots of options
Extra credit (2 pts)
Give two examples of nest types with the names of the species that use/build that type
of nest
Nest Type
1.
2.
Species