Exam 2
Answer key

I. Multiple choice

  1. b
  2. c
  3. d
  4. c
  5. a
  6. b
  7. b
  8. d
  9. c
  10. d
  11. a
  12. b
  13. d
  1. Short answer

1. Arvicoline population cycles

Rising phase Peak phase Declining phase Low density phase
long breeding season short breeding season short breeding season short breeding season
early sexual maturity late sexual maturity late sexual maturity
high survival high survival low survival low survival
high dispersal (vigorous individuals) high dispersal (old, young and weak individuals)
  1. Shrews (family Soricidae) are venomous. The venom is produced in the submaxillary glands (salivary glands) atthe base of the lower incisors. Venom flows from the gland along a groove in the lower incisor when the shrew bites its prey. The bite is usually delivered to the base of the neck of the prey, where it can quickly travel to the brain and exert its neurotoxic effects. Venom allows these shrew to subdue prey that are larger than themselves (eg, frogs and small mammals).
  1. Anatomical specializations for feeding on ants and termites could include:

Examples:

  1. Characteristics in bold were sufficient in and of themselves. Other characteristics had to be mentioned in combination to get full credit.
  1. To get full credit, you must have mentioned at least 2 traits for each type of locomotion.

brachiation


vertical clinging and leaping

terrestrial quadrupedalism


6.

CF=constant frequency
Long duration, constant pitch vocalization
Best for discriminating whether an object is moving towards or away from the bat (using the Doppler effect)

FM=frequency modulated
Relatively short duration vocalization, with pitch changing from high to low
Best for obtaining fine-grained information about the size, shape and position of features in the environment

7. Similarities could include:

Differences could include:

Both orders feed primarily in plant material, which is tough and takes a great deal of mechanical processing (ie, chewing) in order to digest.

8. Each of the following bits of information was worth 0.5 points.

Morphological specializations

Plant characteristics

  • Very large flowers
  • Robust flowers
  • White colored flowers
  • Flowers dangle from stalks
  • Flowers have pungent smell
  • Flowers bloom at night
  • Only one or a few flowers per plant bloom on a given night Produce copious amounts of nectar
  • Elongate stamens for more effective transfer of pollen

    9.