Mosasaur and Whale Evolution Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What type of environment did Ambulocetus inhabit?

Nearshore marine

What is a defining characteristic of the Basilosauridae family of whales?

Marine

The transition from land to sea in whales occurred rapidly, in less than 10 million years.

True (A)

Whales exhibited slow evolutionary rates during their transition from land to sea.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What represents shared evolutionary history in phylogenetic studies?

<p>A pairwise matrix (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Apparent similarities among different species always result from shared ancestry.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be observed in fossils of planktic foraminifera?

<p>evolutionary history</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a phylogenetic tree, species that are closely related are likely to share a common ______.

<p>ancestor</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:

<p>Phylogenetic tree = A diagram showing evolutionary relationships Eukaryotes = Organisms with complex cells Shared ancestry = Traits inherited from a common ancestor Independent evolution = Species evolving traits separately</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does phylogenetic analysis help us understand?

<p>The evolutionary history and relationships among species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Shared ancestry always leads to apparent similarities among all species on a phylogenetic tree.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of matrix can represent shared evolutionary history?

<p>pairwise matrix</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a phylogenetic tree, closely related species share a common ______.

<p>ancestor</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their corresponding definitions:

<p>Taxonomy = Classification of organisms Ecology = Study of organisms and their environment Phylogeny = Evolutionary history of species Anatomy = Physical structure of organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents an aspect of a species' ecology?

<p>Where they live (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of joint is represented by a rotary ankle joint?

<p>multi-axial joint</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mosasaurs' rise

Mosasaurs filled ecological niches left by declining ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs during the Early Cretaceous.

Ichthyosaurs and Pliosaurs

Marine reptiles that declined in diversity during the Early Cretaceous and went extinct by the Turonian Stage.

Whale evolution

Whales transitioned from land to sea relatively quickly, in ~10 million years.

Pakicetus

An early whale ancestor, mostly land-dwelling, but with some aquatic adaptations.

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Ambulocetus

A transitional whale ancestor, living in nearshore marine environments.

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Rodhocetus

An ancestor to whales, living in nearshore marine environments.

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Dorudon

A marine whale- ancestor.

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Evolutionary transition

Rapid adaptation of traits in whale ancestors.

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Semi-circular ear canal

Whales experienced a reduction in ear canal size as they evolved.

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Toothed whales

Show high variation in ecology and environment.

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Ecological opportunities

Mosasaurs took advantage of empty niches left by extinct marine reptiles.

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Remingtonocetus

An early whale ancestor found in coastal, shallow marine environments.

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Transitional forms

Species that have adaptations increasing environment-specific fitness.

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Interzonal trait-space

The space occupied by traits during transition phases.

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Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that shows the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, branching out to show relationships and common ancestors.

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Shared Evolutionary History

When two or more species have similar traits due to inheriting them from a common ancestor.

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Pairwise Matrix

A table showing the shared evolutionary history between pairs of species, with higher values indicating closer relationships.

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Independent Evolutionary History

When two or more species have traits that evolved independently, not due to shared ancestry.

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Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms based on their characteristics and relationships.

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What do they look like?

Describes the physical appearance of an organism.

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What are they doing?

Focuses on the function or role of an organism, its behavior, and how it interacts with its environment.

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Study Notes

Mosasaur Evolution

  • Mosasaurs filled ecological niches vacated by declining ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs during the Early Cretaceous, leading to their extinction during the Turonian Stage.
  • This suggests ecological opportunity, rather than competition, was the primary driver of mosasaur success.

Whale Evolution

  • Whales transitioned from land to sea relatively quickly, within approximately 10 million years.
  • Early whale evolution involved a series of transitional forms, each with adaptations suited to its environment.
  • Early cetaceans like Pakicetus were land-dwelling, with some showing aquatic adaptations.
  • Ambulocetus, Remingtonocetus, and Rodhocetus progressively adapted to more marine environments.
  • Dorudon, a later whale, was fully marine.
  • A dramatic reduction in semicircular ear canal diameter occurred during early whale evolution.
  • Toothed whales exhibit significant variation in traits reflecting their diverse environments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fascinating evolution of mosasaurs and whales. Explore how ecological opportunities influenced mosasaur success and the transition of whales from land to sea. This quiz covers key transitional forms and developmental adaptations within these marine animals.

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