34

Biodiversity (Subject) / 1 (Lesson)

This lesson was created by boeckele.

Learn lesson

This lesson is not released for learning.

back  |  next 1 / 1

• Biodiversity - total variety of live on earth, including all genes, species and ecosystems and ecological processes of which they are part - emphazises the heterogeneity at different ecological levels as a fundamental property of natural systems - essential component of the quality of human existence
• Cover of a species parameter, which allows conclusions about dominance structure considering all species of an area; stating for example the percentage of a study area which is covered by one plant species
• Dominance: dominance of one or few species, meaning they are represented with high numbers of individuals. All other species have less individuals.
• Habitat Diversity complexity of the location, heterogeneity of geomorphology, hydrology, climate,in the sense of vegetation and landscape ecology, it means the spatial diversity of abiotic factors.
• Homology Similarity of a trait in two or more species indicates descent from a common ancestor
• Analogy Convergent traits whose similarity is caused by shared selection
• Apomorphy Plesiomorphy Apomorphy -- any character state or trait novel to a species and its descendants. An apomorphy occurs when a taxon is selected to have a particular trait. Example: within the class reptilia, the suborder serpentes (snakes) has an apomorphy because its members have no legs. Plesiomorphy -- an evolutionary trait or character state that is homologous within a particular taxon but is not unique to members of that group and therefore cannot be used as a diagnostic character for the group. Example: within the class reptilia, legs are a plesiomorphy for its members.
• Holotype is the single specimen upon which a new nominal species-group taxon is based in the original publication. 
• Synapomorphies of mammals secondary palate  secondary jaw joint  diphyodont dentition  heterodont dentition  endothermic homeothermy  hair  scent glands  mammary glands, lactation  respiratory diaphragm  four-chambered heart (parallel systemic circuit and pulmonary circuit)  rotation of extremities under body  Erythrocytes without nucleus 
• Morphological species concept Stresses measurable anatomical differences between species; most species acknowledged by taxonomists have been defined looking at morphological criteria „morphospecies  
• Advertisement
• Biological species concept Emphasises the reproductive isolation ― the potential of the representatives of one species to interbreed among themselves but not with members of other species „biospecies
• Domesticated species Means species in which the evolutionary process has been influenced by humans as to meet their needs. One domesticated form derived from one ‚stem species‘ only 
• Agricultural livestock and wild animals • Agricultural livestock: workforce or production funtion • Captured & tamed wild animals: no domestication in the narrower sense (hereditary traits remain unchanged compared to stem species) 
• Domesticated animals - kept by humans - Changed morphologically and physiologically by breeding for the sake of workforce or hobby  -  Breeding through mutations and selection of individuals  -  Changes of hereditary quality in performance and behaviour  
• Features of domesticated animals • Kept in isolation by humans (no symbiotic relationship) • Hereditary differences in morphological & physiological respect compared to stem species • Breeding:modificationsinperformance& behaviour 
• Prerequisites for domestication • Potential for imprinting by humans • Demand for products and/or services of the respective species • No food competition with humans • Reproduction in captivity 
• Chronological sequence of domestication: Dogs Domestic sheep and goats Cattle and domestic pigs Domestic horses (particularly important to economic progress) 
• Mammalia Relevant orders with families • Lagomorpha (lagomorphs): Leporidae• Rodentia (rodents): Caviidae, Muridae• Carnivora (carnivores): Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae• Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates): Equidae• Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates): Bovidae, Suidae, Camelidae, Cervidae
• Beispiele domestication: Canis lupus -> Canis lupus f. familiaris Grey Wolf-> domesticated dog European polecat-> ferret African wildcat-> domesticated cat African wild ass -> donkey Wild horse-> domesticated horse Aurochs -> cattle
• Mammalia Carnivora Rodentia Lagomorpha
• Morphological changes due to domestication Changes in size • giant or dwarf form Typical skeleton changes stronger bones reduced bone density wider shoulder blades modified spine length and number of vertebrae modified length of extremeties → allometry problems Typical changes of the dentition excess teeth or reduced number of teeth anomalies of position or location Typical modifications of the skull shortened and enlarged or elongated and narrowed facial bones decrease of brain mass variations in the orbits and eyes Typical changes of horns modifications in strength, length and shape mostly reductions of horns, rarely enlargements  Typical changes of the hair coat looser skin tissue modifications in skin thickness wrinkling of skin hairlessness or increased hair growth displacement of seasonal change of coat flashy colorings and manifold patterns Digestive tract • intestine mostly longer than in stem species Sense organs • reduced sensory performance Typical changes of muscular system paler coloring: reduced myoglobin content softer consistency large storage of intramuscular fats Ear positions • lop ears or erect ears
• Behavioral changes - due to domestication • Use and occurrence of gesture• Depletion of sound• Decrease of flight initiation distance• Curbed aggressive instinct• Territory marking• Altered hunting behaviour• Reduced brood care behaviour+• New meaning of sounds „purr • Excessive catching prey acts• Increased drive to ingest food• hypertrophiesat the reproductive behavior• early maturity• Exessive nest-building
• Reasons for non-domestication 1. ecological requirements cannot be realised by humans2. slow growth rate and low reproduction rate3. „stubborn nature4. reluctance to reproduce in captivity5. low subordination willingness6. keeping in captivity is not possible
• Agrobiodiversity The variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organismsthat are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture,including crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. It comprises thediversity of genetic resources (varieties, breeds) and species usedfor food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includesthe diversity of non-harvested species that support production (soilmicro-organisms, predators, pollinators), and those in the widerenvironment that support agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral,forest and aquatic) as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems.
• Bio-Diversity assessment Pitfall Trap Camera traps Noninvasive geneticsampling longworth live trap  snap traps  acoustic survey 
• Biogeography Biogeography is the study of the distribution of biodiversity over space and time.It aims to reveal where organisms live, and at what abundance The patterns of species distribution at this level can usually be explained through a combination of historical factors such as speciation, extinction, continental drift, glaciations (and associated variations in sea level, river routes, and so on), and river capture, in combination with the area and isolation of landmasses (geographic constraints) and available energy supplies.
• Endosymbiotic Theory Theory of the formation of eucaryotes New form of life by merging two lineages (= symbiosis)
• EcosystemServices Definition “Ecosystem goods (such as food) and services (such as waste assimilation) represent the benefits human populations derive, directly or indirectly, from ecosystem functions.”
• Holistic vs reductionist Approach: Holistic Approach:  Biodiversity too complex and too little understood to be disentangled and translated into monetary values; Reductionist Approach:  Ability to disentangle biodiversity into different economic value categories given;
• EcosystemServices Types of Ecosystem Services (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)-Provisioning: products obtained from ecosystems. (Food, fuel, fiber, water, biochemicals, genetic resources)-Regulating: benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes. (Climate and disease regulation, water purification, pollination)-Cultural: Non-material benefits (education, recreation; aesthetic, spiritual, and cultural spaces)-Supporting: necessary for the production of others (soil formation and fertility; nutrient cycling, primary production)
• Advertisement
• Alien species •"Alien species" (non-native, non-indigenous, foreign, exotic) means a species, subspecies, or lower taxon occurring outside of its natural range (past or present) and dispersal potential (i.e. outside the range it occupies naturally or could not occupy without direct or indirect introduction or care by humans) and includes any part, gametes or propagule of such species that might survive and subsequentlyreproduce.•"Alien invasive species" means an alien species which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, is an agent of change, and threatensnative biologicaldiversity.
• Endemism “Endemism is the association of a biological taxon with a unique and well-defined geographic area. While an island is the most sharply delineated geographic zone that may comprise endemic status, any effective geographic barriers or realms of ecological continuity may define boundaries of endemism; examples of such boundaries are: mountain range, river, transition to desert or other new biome.” (Encyclopedia of Earth 2012)
• Paleoendemics and Neoendemics Paleoendemicsare ancient vestiges of taxa that were once more widespread. Their present relictual status is presumably the result of the increasing constriction of their specialized habitats over time. often low rank, speciesNeoendemics, on the other hand, are recent in origin, have just split off from a parental entity, and may be poised for a further expansion of their ranges and gene pools. often high ranks, order
• Human-wildlife conflicts “Human-wildlife conflict occurs when the needs and behavior of wildlife impact negatively on the goals of humans or when the goals of humans negatively impact the needs of wildlife. These conflicts may result when wildlife damage crops, injure or kill domestic animals, threaten or kill people.”

back  |  next 1 / 1