Black Rhinoceros
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
Species: bicornis
Quick Facts About Black Rhinoceros
The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), is a species of rhinoceros. The black rhinoceros, though referred to as
black, is actually more of a grey/brown/white color in appearance. There are four subspecies of the black
rhinoceros, of which three are listed as critically endangered and one as probably extinct. The black
rhinoceros has a thick layered skin that protects it from thorns and sharp grass. Black rhinoceroses have
relatively poor eyesight, and rely more on their sense of smell and hearing. Their ears possess a relatively
wide rotational range to detect sounds and their keen sense of smell alerts them to the presence of
predators. The black rhinoceros has been pushed to the brink of extinction by illegal poaching for their horns
and by loss of habitat. The horns, used in traditional Chinese medicine, are considered by herbalists, to be
able to revive comatose patients, cure fevers, and aid male sexual stamina and fertility. This has not been
verified by medical science.
In the Middle East, the horn of the Black Rhinoceros is used to make ornately carved handles for ceremonial
daggers called jambiyas. Demand for these daggers, has been the cause of decline of the Black Rhinoceros
population by 96%, between 1970 and 1992.
Black Rhinoceros Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching black rhinos. During your time in Africa, you have observed two
particular traits that allow some black rhinos to be better adapted to their environment. The first trait is an
extra-long prehensile lip that enables the rhino to have more efficient browsing capability than the usual size
prehensile lip. Second, some of the rhinos in the study have extra-long ears that allow them to hear a
potential predator earlier than rhinos with normal size ears. If you could breed black rhinos that have both
these traits (extra-long prehensile lip and bigger ears), it would increase their chance for survival in the wild.
You have chosen the following two rhinos to enter into a breeding program for the two desired phenotypic
traits. It has been determined (based on your previous research) that both the desired traits are homozygous
recessive.
Parent 1
Parent 2
Homozygous dominant for the prehensile lip trait
(PP). Thus, this parent does not express the
extra-long lip trait.
Heterozygous for the longer ear trait (Ee). Thus, this
parent does not express the extra-large ear trait.
Heterozygous for the prehensile lip trait (Pp). Thus,
this parent does not express the extra-long lip trait.
Homozygous recessive for the large eared trait (ee).
Therefore, the parent does express the extra-long
ear trait.
Burmese Python
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: bivittatus
Quick Facts About Burmese Pythons
Burmese pythons, with their beautifully patterned skin, rapid growth rate, and generally docile disposition,
may be best known as the large snake of choice among reptile owners. Unfortunately these potentially huge
constrictors are often poorly cared for and are frequently released into the wild. Native to the jungles and
grassy marshes of Southeast Asia, Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes on Earth. They are capable
of reaching 23 feet or more in length and weighing up to 200 pounds.
Burmese pythons are carnivores, surviving primarily on small mammals and birds. They have poor eyesight,
and stalk prey using chemical receptors in their tongues and heat-sensors along the jaws. They kill by
constriction, grasping a victim with their sharp teeth, coiling their bodies around the animal, and squeezing
until it suffocates. Burmese pythons are solitary animals and are generally only seen together during spring
mating. Females lay clutches of up to 100 eggs, which they incubate for two to three months. To keep their
eggs warm, they continually contract, or shiver, their muscles. Habitat depletion, continued demand for
Burmese pythons in the pet trade, and hunting for their skins and flesh have landed these graceful giants on
the threatened species list.
Burmese Python Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching Burmese pythons. During your time in Asia, you observed a particular
trait that allows some Burmese pythons to be better adapted to their environment. Some snakes have extralarge scales on their abdomen. This increases the surface area of their abdomen that is in contact with the
ground, therefore, making locomotion easier. In addition, you noticed that albino Burmese pythons do not
survive as long in the wild as those who have normal pigmentation because lack of camouflage ability (beige
blotches on a dark brown background). If you could breed Burmese pythons that have normal pigmentation
(avoiding albinism) and extra-large abdominal scales, it would increase their chance for survival in the wild.
You have chosen the following two Burmese pythons to enter into a breeding program for the two desired
phenotypic traits. It has been determined that the trait for the extra-large abdominal scales is homozygous
recessive. Albinism is also a homozygous recessive trait. The normal pigmentation trait is dominant and is
expressed in homozygous dominant and heterozygous individuals.
Parent 1
Parent 2
Heterozygous for the extra-large ventral (abdomen)
scales (Ss). Therefore this parent does not express
the extra large scale trait.
Heterozygous for the pigmentation trait (Pp). Thus,
this parent expresses the normal pigmentation.
Heterozygous for the extra-large ventral (abdomen)
scales (Ss). Therefore this parent does not express
the extra large scale trait.
Heterozygous for the pigmentation trait (Pp). Thus,
this parent expresses the normal pigmentation.
Bald Eagle
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Quick Facts About Bald Eagles
Order: Falconiformes
The bald eagle is not really bald; it actually has white feathers on its head, neck, and tail.
Bald isAccipitridae
a deviation of
Family:
“balde”, an Old English word meaning white. The eagle was named for its white feathers
instead
of a lack of
Genus:
Haliaeetus
feathers. Bald eagles can actually swim! They use an overhand movement of the wingsSpecies:
that is very
much like
leucocephalus
the butterfly stroke. This skillful hunter is aided by a few key adaptations including oily plumage, big feet, a
large curved beak, and a reversible toe which allows them to carry sizeable fish while in flight. Also, rough
sandpaper-like spicules on the bottoms of its feet allow the bald eagle a good grip on slippery prey. In the
mid-20th century bald eagles declined in numbers, due mainly to the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Since
1972, with the banning of DDT and many other harmful chemicals, bald eagle numbers have greatly increased.
Now the number of bald eagles has increased so much that in June 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
proposed that they be downgraded from endangered status to the less urgent status of threatened in all but
three of the lower 48 states. The success of the bald eagle is a tribute to the Endangered Species Act and is an
incentive for increased awareness and conservation everywhere.
Next:
Bald Eagle Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching ospreys. During your time in North America, you have observed two
particular traits that allow some bald eagles to be better adapted to their environment. The first trait is a bony
overhang above their eyes. This overhang protects the eyes from the sun and shades the bird's eyes from any
glare and enables it to see into the water more easily while searching for fish. Second, some of the bald eagles
in the study have extra-long spicules, or bump on their feet, than others. The bald eagles that have these
extra-long spicules are able to capture fish more efficiently than those who do not have the extra-long
spicules. If you could breed bald eagles that have both these traits (extra-large bony overhang and longer
spicules), it would increase their chance for survival in the wild.
You have chosen the following two bald eagles to enter into a breeding program for the two desired
phenotypic traits. It has been determined (based on your previous research) that both the desired traits are
homozygous recessive.
Parent 1
Heterozygous dominant for the extra-large bony
overhang trait (Pp). Therefore this parent does not
express the extra-large bony overhang trait.
Homozygous recessive for the extra-long spicule
trait (ss). Therefore this parent does express the
extra-long spicule trait.
Parent 2
Homozygous recessive for the extra-large bony
overhang trait (pp). Therefore this parent does
express the extra-large bony overhang trait.
Heterozygous dominant for the extra-long spicule
trait (Ss). Thus the parent does not express the extralong spicule trait.
Prehensile-tailed Porcupine
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Erethizontidae
Genus: Coendou
Species: prehensilis
Quick Facts About Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines
Prehensile-tailed porcupines range in color from brownish-yellow to nearly black. Their bodies are about 18
inches long and are covered with thick, sharp quills, which are longer and lighter in color than their fur. Their
long tails are also quilled, but have bare tips for better grip. Both hind- and forefeet have four digits with long
curved claws for climbing. They have a bald, bulbous nose which aids their excellent sense of smell; however,
they have poor vision. Prehensile-tailed porcupines are arboreal, spending most of their time climbing
among the treetops in their forest homes. They are nocturnal, spending their days sleeping in hollows or
tangled vines high above the forest floor, awakening at night to forage. They rarely drink water, but obtain all
they need from their diet. When confronted, they may stomp their feet and shake their quills, making a
rattling noise. Like all porcupines, their barbed quills are not thrown or shot at predators, but release quite
easily when the porcupine is tense. Prehensile-tailed porcupines are in danger from habitat destruction. The
forests where they live are being cleared to provide land for agriculture and urban growth. What you buy can
help protect forest habitat. Buy wood products that are sustainably harvested, coffee which is shade-grown,
and produce grown locally to you.
Prehensile-tailed Porcupine Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching prehensile-tailed porcupines. During your time in South America, you
have observed two particular traits that allow some porcupines to be better adapted to their environment.
The first trait is an extra-long prehensile tail that enables the porcupine to have more efficient grasping
capabilities than the usual length prehensile tail. Second, some of the porcupines in the study have extralong whiskers on their face and feet that allow them to sense their environment better than those that have
normal size whiskers. If you could breed prehensile-tailed porcupines that have both these traits (extra-long
prehensile tail and whiskers), it would increase their chance for survival in the wild. You have chosen the
following two porcupines to enter into a breeding program for the two desired phenotypic traits. It has been
determined (based on your previous research) that both the desired traits are homozygous recessive.
Parent 1
Parent 2
Heterozygous for the extra-long prehensile tail trait
(Tt). Therefore this parent does not express the
extra-long tail trait.
Heterozygous for the extra-long whisker trait (Ww).
Therefore this parent does not express the extralong whisker trait.
Heterozygous for the extra-long prehensile tail trait
(Tt). Therefore this parent does not express the
extra-long tail trait.
Heterozygous for the extra-long whisker trait (Ww).
Therefore this parent does not express the extralong whisker trait.
Lesser Long-eared Bat
Quick Facts About Long-eared Bats
This species is a highly adaptable bat and as a result is one of the most
widespread bats that are endemic to Australia. It lives in deserts, tropical to
alpine woodlands, mangroves, agricultural land, urban areas, wet to dry forests
and rain forests. These bats are usually nocturnal, living in dark caves, hollows, old
trees, ceilings and hollow walls. Light grey colored fur is located on the back of
the bat with noticeably lighter to white fur on its underbelly, these hairs range
from dark at the base to light at the ends. The distinguishing feature of this
species is the high nose ridge split and their large ears. When flying this species
will point the tips of its ears forward listening for sound emitted from small
openings located at the top of their snouts. Grasshoppers, crickets and moths are
their most common food but have a large variety of foods including: lacewings,
beetles, flies, cricket nymphs, cockroaches and spiders. Lesser Long-eared Bats
are vulnerable to loss of tree hollows and loss of feeding grounds by forestry
activities, clearing for agriculture and housing, and land degradation.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Pteropus
Species: macrotis
Long-eared Bats Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching long-eared bats. During your time in Australia, you have observed
two particular traits that allow some long-eared bats to be better adapted to their environment. The first
trait is extra-large ears that enables the bat to echolocate and find food more effectively than the usual size
ears. Second, some of the bats in the study have stronger tendons in their feet than others. The bats that
have stronger tendons are able to hang upside from branches longer than those who do not have as strong
of tendons. If you could breed long-eared bats that have both these traits (stronger tendons and larger ears),
it would increase their chance for survival in the wild.
You have chosen the following two bats to enter into a breeding program for the two desired phenotypic
traits. It has been determined (based on your previous research) that both the desired traits are homozygous
recessive.
Parent 1
Heterozygous dominant for the extra-large ear trait
(Nn). Therefore this parent does not express the
extra-large ear trait.
Homozygous recessive for the extra strong tendon
trait (tt). Therefore this parent does express the
extra strong tendon trait.
Parent 2
Homozygous recessive for the extra-large ear (nn).
Therefore this parent does express the extra-large
ear trait.
Homozygous recessive for the extra strong tendon
trait (tt). Therefore the parent does express the
extra strong tendon trait.
European Bison
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Bison
Species: bonasus
Quick Facts About European Bison
European bison are the largest native herbivores in Europe. Their appearance is very similar to North
American bison although they are smaller in stature and have a longer mane on the forehead and beneath
the neck. The coat is also less shaggy than American bison and varies in color from golden brown to dark
brown. Their head is set at a slightly higher angle than the American Bison, and this means they tend to
browse more from slightly higher foliage, and graze less from ground-level grasses. European Bison used to
inhabit temperate, coniferous forests in much of Europe. However for centuries their numbers have
dwindled as they were hunted and driven out of their natural habitat due to forestry and farming. Slowly the
European Bison was eradicated from countries across Europe and in 1927 the last wild European Bison was
killed by poachers in southern Russia. In that year fewer than 50 European Bison existed, all of them in zoos.
Wild populations existing today were reintroduced using these 50 animals in a breeding program. European
Bison can now be found in nature reserves in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Slovakia,
Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Spain.
European Bison Case Study
You are a wildlife biologist researching European bison. During your time in Europe, you have observed two
particular traits that allow some European bison to be better adapted to their environment. The first trait is
that some European bison have thicker horns than others. The thick horns enable the European bison to
defend itself better than European bison that do not have the thicker horns. Second, some of the European
bison in the study have longer prehensile tongues than others. The European bison that have this extra-long
prehensile tongue are able to browse for food more efficiently than those who do not have this trait. If you
could breed European bison that have both these traits (thicker horns and longer prehensile tongues), it
would increase their chance for survival in the wild.
You have chosen the following two European bison to enter into a breeding program for the two desired
phenotypic traits. It has been determined (based on your previous research) that both the desired traits are
homozygous recessive.
Parent 1
Heterozygous dominant for the horn trait (Hh).
Therefore this parent does not express the extra
thick horn trait.
Heterozygous dominant for the prehensile tongue
trait (Ll). Therefore this parent does not express
Parent 2
Heterozygous dominant for the horn trait (Hh).
Therefore this parent does not express the extra
thick horn trait.
Heterozygous dominant for the prehensile tongue
trait (Ll). Therefore the parent does not express