1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of the members of the otariid, phocid, and odobenid families. (3 points)
The suborder pinnipedia have a few uniting characteristics and many variations that separate the families. Some uniting morphological characteristics that otariids, phocids and odobenids possess are paddle-like forelimbs and hind limbs, tiny tails, a bullet-like body shape, and blubber. There are also many defining features of each family. To start, the family Otariidae has external ear flaps while the families Phocidae and Odobenidae do not. Otariids and Odobenids have the ability to rotate their pelvic bones to walk like a terrestrial four legged animal where as phocids cannot and must flop around to move on land. Otariids and Odobenids also have long fore flippers and shorter hind flippers while Phocids have similar fore and hind flippers with the hind slightly larger. Phocids use their hind flippers for propulsion and fore flippers for steering. Otariids use their fore flippers to push themselves through the water. Odobenids can use either fore or hind flippers for propulsions. Finally, Phociids have robust vibrissae, Otariids have large vibrissae, and Odobeniids have numerous short vibrissae.
2. Based on your answers, do you believe that these animals evolved from a singular common ancestor? Why or why not? (3 points) …show more content…
Animal behavior may show variations in social behavior based on environmental conditions and understanding this will be important with understanding what will happen with the current changing of the environment. Animal behavior will also show what constraints there are on breeding and population dynamics. This will be important to understand because for a population to grow or maintain stable levels environmental conditions need to be conducive to success in mating and producing an offspring that will go on to reproduce. This is crucial to conservation
The suborder pinnipedia have a few uniting characteristics and many variations that separate the families. Some uniting morphological characteristics that otariids, phocids and odobenids possess are paddle-like forelimbs and hind limbs, tiny tails, a bullet-like body shape, and blubber. There are also many defining features of each family. To start, the family Otariidae has external ear flaps while the families Phocidae and Odobenidae do not. Otariids and Odobenids have the ability to rotate their pelvic bones to walk like a terrestrial four legged animal where as phocids cannot and must flop around to move on land. Otariids and Odobenids also have long fore flippers and shorter hind flippers while Phocids have similar fore and hind flippers with the hind slightly larger. Phocids use their hind flippers for propulsion and fore flippers for steering. Otariids use their fore flippers to push themselves through the water. Odobenids can use either fore or hind flippers for propulsions. Finally, Phociids have robust vibrissae, Otariids have large vibrissae, and Odobeniids have numerous short vibrissae.
2. Based on your answers, do you believe that these animals evolved from a singular common ancestor? Why or why not? (3 points) …show more content…
Animal behavior may show variations in social behavior based on environmental conditions and understanding this will be important with understanding what will happen with the current changing of the environment. Animal behavior will also show what constraints there are on breeding and population dynamics. This will be important to understand because for a population to grow or maintain stable levels environmental conditions need to be conducive to success in mating and producing an offspring that will go on to reproduce. This is crucial to conservation