In: Biology
Researchers want to estimate the size of two populations of Galapagos tortoises on two different islands. They do this by making two trips to each island. On the first trip to Island A, 50 tortoises are captured and marked, and on the second trip, 60 tortoises are captured, of which 8 are marked.On the first trip to Island B, 47 tortoises are captured and marked, and on the second trip, 38 are captured, of which 13 are marked. Estimate the population sizes of Galapagos tortoises for these two islands. Round to the nearest whole number (2 pts.).
After 5 years, there are an estimated 386 individuals on Island A, and 139 individuals on Island B. Assuming geometric growth, which island has a higher growth rate? And what will the population size of each island be in another 5 years? Give your answers to 3 decimal places (5 pts.).
The Galapagos tortoise complex are the largest living species of tortoise. it is the tortoise species complex endemic to the Galapagos Islands. the most enduring debate in reptile systematics has involved the gaint galapagos tortoise.
The closest living relative to the Galapagos tortoise is not among the larger bodied tortoise of south America but is the relatively small bodied or chaco tortoise. Our data suggest that four named subspecies on the largest island.
The galapagos Islands are volcanic in origin the oldest extant island in the eastern part of the archipelago is less than 5 million years old. volcanic activity is ongoing on the western islands.
We can assume in the first trip there are 50 tortoise are captured and marked and on second trip 60 tortoise are captured but 8 are marked. means here are increasing in population of tortoise and in the second trip there are decrease in tortoise population. but in total number of population is 60 marked tortoise in second trip. but difference is too short population size increase at two percent rate.
That is 58 to 60.
The gaint Galapagos tortoise Chelonoidis nigra is a large sized terrestrial chelonian of high patrimonial interest.
There are currently 15 species. gaint tortoise were native to each of the big islands.
To find out the island vegetation has changed after five years we mesured the carbon content of the soil at different depths. they found theres been a shift if flora from grasses to small trees and shrubs. these woody plants prevent the growth of cacti which are staples of the tortoises diet and make it harder for the animal to move around.so even through the tortoise are rebounding it will take a lot longer for the ecosystem to back and tortoise population can fully recover.
Island A has a higher growth rate than the comparision of Island B that is 386- 139. The galapagos tortoise can live more than 100 years. Isabela have the largest populations of gaint tortoise.as many as 300,000 gaint tortoise roamed the galapagos islands.
Tortoise eat and disperse many plants as they move around and they are more mobile than many people realize.
Tortoise crush vegetation. they may be important factor in maintaining the ecosystem on the islands where they live.
so as this in future there will be more growth rate in galapagos tortoise population.