Sample Questions: EXAMINATION I Form A Mammalogy -EEOB 625 Name Composite of previous Examinations Part I. Define or describe only 5 of the following 6 words - 15 points (3 each). If you define all 6, only the first 5 will be graded. You are encouraged to use examples where appropriate (e.g., #2). 1. Multituberculata 2. Adaptive radiation 3. Diphyodonty 4. Biological Species concept 5. Paraphyletic taxon 6. Synapsid skull (name bones & taxa) Part II. Fill in the blank/ multiple choice. 2 points each (except as noted) - 29 points 7 Number of teeth is a character. The primitive state of that character in metatherians is (n=?) is found in Didelphidae. The primitive number of teeth in eutherians (44) is found in (You may use either the technical or common name of this eutherian taxon 8 (1) The diet of bradypodids consists of 9. What characteristic of the marsupial mode of reproduction might not allow this taxon to compete successfully with eutherians in evolutionary competition
2 Name 10 Mammals reached their highest diversity during the Epoch when (habitat type) was widespread. 11. Why is one bone in the mandible important for phylogeny of mammals? 12. The technical name for mink is Mustela vison (Bangs). Bangs is not the subspecies, but what is it? 15. Explain Fig. 25-6 in Vaughan 16. In taxonomy, is the placement of individual organisms into taxa. 18 What is the reproductive advantage of high body temperature (& homeothermism) in mammals (& birds)? 20. Dermopterans feed on A) insects B) nectar, C) leaves, D) ants & terminates, E) seeds 21. Which one of the following character states of a fossil skull would be characteristics of a mammal-like reptile rather than an archaic mammal A) heterodont dentition, B) synapsid skull, C) articular-quadrate articulation of the jaw, D) three bones in the middle ear, E) none of the above 22 A boundaries of the Zoogeographic (Faunal) Region are defined entirely by desert and oceans: A) Ethiopian B) Nearctic, C) Oriental, D) Neotropical, E) Australian Part III Matching - 20 points 23. Place the number of the taxon in column B in the blank next to the statement in column A to which to which it is most closely related. Use each taxon only once. There are 3 extra families that should not be used. A B Australian possums 1. Phalangeridae Feeding habits & habitat similar to groundhogs 2. Caenolestidae Highest in species richness among insectivores Oviparous 24. Taxon Quiz (5) 25. Taxon Take-home (5) 3. Dasyuridae 4. Vombatidae 5. Soricidae 6. Monotremata 7. Chrysochloridae
3 Name Part IV. Short Answer - 27 points. NOTE: 1) Write all your answers to Parts IV and V (except #29) on the answer sheets provided, and 2) number your answer but do not waste time repeating the question. 26. For 5 points, answer (A) OR (B) below in answer book only. (A) List three (3) specific and consistent differences between marsupials and eutherians in terms of reproductive cycles, reproductive anatomy, placentae, lactation, or reproductive energetics.then choose one of those 3 and explain how you think it is fundamental ( most important) to the metatherian (marsupial) adaptive zone. 27 (4) The families Talpidae and Chrysochloridae represent parallel evolution. Explain. 29. (5) Complete the Geological Time Table below (for all after the Paleozoic) Era Period Epoch Million of years Before present 0.01 Quaternary Cenozoic 205 Paleozoic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 Name Description of Examination I. 30 January 2004 Covers Lecture and Reading assigned for 5 January through 26 January (i.e., Xenarthra, Pholidota, & Tubulidentata) Components (with approximate number of points) : I Defections (15), II Multiple Choice/ True-False (30-35), III Short Answer (25-35), IV Essay (10-12), V Taxon Quiz & Taxonomy Take-Home (10). Short Answer: Five or 6 questions (4-6 points each): Listed below are some topics for short answer questions. The list is not exhaustive nor will all these topics be covered. However topics discussed in class will have a higher probability of being asked. Explain Fig. 25-6 in Vaughan Role of continental drift in evolution of mammalian taxonomic diversity relative to that of reptiles. Explain the differences among Zoogeographic Regions in the number of endemic families Great American Faunal Interchange Construct a cladogram from a list of synapomorphies (which also happen to be key characteristics) and a list of taxa (at the level of classes, infraclasses, & orders) from Amphibia to Xenarthra What do you have to do to be an author of a species and why might your name, as an author, be presented in parentheses? Is Mammalia, including the monotremes, a monophyletic group? Explain. Why is the diversity (species richness and adaptive radiation) greater in Australia than in South America? Didelphidae is said to be the most primitive of the metatherians and Macropodidae the most highly derived. Explain. Why is Tenrecidae a "textbook" example of adaptive radiation Describe the adaptive zone of extant xenarthrans. List similarities and differences between Orycteropodidae and Myrmecophagidae Which infraclass, metatheria or eutheria, has been most successful in an evolutionary sense? Support you answer with a list of 3-4 facts. Then offer a biological explanation as to why one or the other has been more successful. The Geological Time Table (#29 above) will be asked. To facililtate recall, I suggest that you memorize Periods and Epochs to the nearest 5 million before present (mybp): e.g., Paleocene = 65 mybp, Eocene =55; Oligocene =35; Miocene.=25; Pliocene =5; Pleistocene.=2; & Recent =0.01 mybp. (see 7 Jan 04 Lecture outline) Part V Structured Essay- 10-12 Points. 30. Briefly discuss a) the origin of mammals in the late Triassic, b) the evolution of mammals during the Cretaceous, c) and their radiation during the early to mid-cenozoic. Include the following key words in a way that makes clear your understanding of their meaning relative to this topic. Zatheria angiosperms dinosaurs endothermy lactation Tribosphenic molar Metatherians Miocene Cynodontia Triconodontia Antarctica Procoptodon large ungulates This question, perhaps with a few different key words, will be the essay question for Examination I. ------------------------------------
5 Name Suggestions for preparing for and taking Examination I. Writing time will be at premium (11:30-12:20 PM) this on Friday. The following are suggestions for studying that will help you think and write efficiently during the exam: 1. Know the mammal family names well so that you can think about biology and not spend time pondering names on multiple choice questions. 2. Practice filling in the Geological Time Table (#29 above). 3. Outline and practice writing your answer to the essay (#30). Time yourself, so that you know how much time to allot during the exam. You will be graded on content, logic, and (even) new ideas not volume or elegant prose. Study hard and good luck! John Harder