Question

In a recent lecture there was a discussion of ‘ecological rules’, which addressed trends in physical attributes of endotherms of cold environments (high latitudes and high elevations) when compared to warm environments (lower latitudes and lower elevations). Describe these three ‘trends’, and then explain the presumed adaptive value of one them.

Animals that live in both hot and cold environments are often quite adept at avoiding temperature extremes. Briefly list/describe 3 ways that animals do so for cold environments.

Pick the community of your choice, including both mountain and desert communities and describe the plants and animals that inhabit this community. Include a summary of the ecological conditions that selected for this community.

Answer 1

Thermoregulation is the ability of am organism to maintain its body temperature withing a specific range. The process is one aspect of homeostasis, the state of dynamic stability of internal conditions.

Cold blooded animals are ectotherms while warm blooded animals are endotherms. Most fishes, reptiles, Amphibians and invertebrates are ectothermic, whereas most mammals and birds are endothermic. Both forms of thermoregulation have their advantages. Ectotherms don't waste their energy in generating their own heat, so have lower metabolic rate. Endotherms, having control over their body temperature can be a real advantage, as they are far less vulnerable to fluctuations in the environmental conditions.

Christine, is the standard omnivore that resembles humans in their ability to either change their behaviour or modify the climate! For example, if you take cockroaches, the various species can seek out warm areas like kitchens or cool places in hot countries and breed there. Rats are notorious for living in warm sewers underground, but are not quite so successful as cockroaches in the hottest countries.

Our turtle stands out, as it modifies behavior by swimming faster and more often in cool waters on order to maintain a temperature aboove sea temperature- the leatherback. It's unique among turtles and possibly reptiles. Furthermore investigation could include animals that occur in cold places but survive, like Galapagos penguins, near the equator because of cold currents.

Most species live only in one temperature regime because their niche requires it!