Questions and Answers
What percentage of Madagascar's wildlife is found nowhere else in the world?
What are the only animals capable of hunting adult lemurs in Madagascar?
What term describes when two different species independently evolve similar traits?
What significant change happened to Madagascar's rainforest since 1950?
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Which tree is considered iconic in Madagascar?
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How many species of baobab trees are found only in Madagascar?
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What is the approximate age of some baobab trees in baobab alley?
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Which of the following is a reason why baobab trees are sometimes referred to as bottle trees?
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What important species can be found at the Toliara reef?
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What are some threats to the Toliara reef?
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Study Notes
Wildlife in Madagascar
- Madagascar is home to nearly 90% unique flora and fauna, not found elsewhere in the world.
- Formed as an island after breaking away from Africa (180 million years ago) and India (100 million years later), limiting species migration.
- For the last 80 million years, Madagascar's species evolved independently, creating a distinct ecosystem.
- The fossa is the largest carnivore, resembling a cat but not belonging to the cat family; it is vital for hunting lemurs.
- The concept of convergent evolution explains how the fossa and other species develop similar traits independently over time.
- Fossas possess flexible ankles, enabling them to climb down trees head-first and leap between them to hunt.
Rainforests and Biodiversity
- Madagascar once boasted extensive rainforests, home to numerous unique species, many now extinct.
- Only about 10% of the original rainforest remains, with 40% lost since 1950 due to deforestation.
- The baobab tree, a symbol of Madagascar, has eight endemic species, with six located in Baobab Alley.
- Some baobab trees in Baobab Alley are over 800 years old and can reach heights of 30 meters; they store water, giving them their bulbous shape.
Coral Reefs and Marine Life
- Off Madagascar's southwest coast lies the Toliara reef, one of the world's largest coral reefs, hosting thousands of animal species.
- The coelacanth, an ancient fish akin to the dinosaurs, is found here, with a lineage traced back about 400 million years.
- Toliara reef serves as a crucial breeding ground for humpback whales and has sightings of rare blue whales.
- The reef faces critical threats from climate change and pollution, endangering its ecological balance.
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Description
Explore the unique wildlife of Madagascar, an island home to nearly 90% of species found nowhere else on Earth. This quiz highlights the importance of its critical habitat and the evolutionary history that shaped its diverse ecosystem.
