SCIENCE TEST ANIMALS

11 sep

Cane Toads

Cane Toads

Large toads with rough, warty skin, usually brown or olive with a distinctive white stripe down the back.

Introduced: Cane Toads

In 1935 to control agricultural pests, primarily in Queensland, Australia.

Issue with Cane Toads

Spread rapidly, produce harmful toxins to native predators, and outcompete native species for food.

Efforts to Address Cane Toad Issue

Community awareness programs, biological control research, and trapping.

Reason for Cane Toads being a Pest

High reproductive rate, toxin production, and lack of natural predators.

Current Cane Toad Population

Over 200 million estimated.

Best Method to Fight Cane Toads

Biological control methods, targeted removal, and public education on toad handling.

Scientific Name of Cane Toads

Rhinella marina

European Carp

Large fish with a deep body, forked tail, usually bronze or gold in color.

Introduced: European Carp

In 1859 for sport fishing and aquaculture, primarily in Australian rivers and lakes.

Issue with European Carp

Reproduce quickly, muddy water, outcompete native fish for food and habitat.

Efforts to Address European Carp Issue

Biological controls, fishing quotas, and habitat restoration.

Reason for European Carp being a Pest

High reproductive rate and habitat destruction from feeding habits.

Current European Carp Population

Over 10 million estimated.

Best Method to Fight European Carp

Integrated pest management with biological controls and community-based fishing efforts.

Scientific Name of European Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Introduced Species

Non-native species integrated into local environments by humans.

Invasive Species

Introduced species that harm local ecosystems significantly.

Brumby

Feral horse in Australia, introduced in 1788.

Cane Toad

Introduced in 1935, threatens native species with bufotoxin.

Dromedary Camel

Feral herds in Australia, introduced for transport in 1840.

European Honeybee

Aggressive pollinator introduced for food crops, threatens natives.

European Rabbit

Introduced in 1857, causes significant ecological damage.

Feral Cat

Introduced as pets in 1849, threatens native wildlife.

Feral Deer

Introduced for hunting, causing erosion and habitat degradation.

Feral Goats

Introduced in 1788, compete for resources and damage vegetation.

Feral Pig

Introduced in 1788, destroys land and affects water sources.

Red Fox

Introduced in 1855, a nocturnal predator of native species.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Legislation addressing threats like the Cane Toad.

Bufotoxin

Toxin from Cane Toads lethal to native Australian animals.

Erosion

Soil degradation caused by overgrazing and invasive species.

Native Fauna

Indigenous animal species affected by introduced competitors.

Recreational Hunting

Purpose for introducing species like Red Fox and Feral Deer.

Plant Species Degradation

Loss of native plants due to competition from feral species.

Cultural Sites Impact

Damage caused by feral camels to significant locations.

Natural Predator

Absence of this allows Cane Toads to thrive unchecked.

Rabbit-Proof Fence

Built to contain European Rabbits, but ineffective.

Competition for Resources

Struggle between native and introduced species for food.

Feral Herds

Wild populations of introduced species like camels and goats.

Salt Lake Ecosystems

Affected by feral camels consuming local plant species.

Honeybee Venom

Allergy affecting 3% of Australians, can be fatal.

Prolific Breeders

Characteristic of European Rabbits leading to ecological issues.

Biotic organisms

Living entities including humans, animals, and plants.

Habitat

Place where an organism lives and thrives.

Adaptation

Species changes over time for survival.

Speciation

Formation of new species through isolation.

Parasitism

One species benefits while the other is harmed.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from their interaction.

Commensalism

One species benefits; the other is unaffected.

Structural adaptations

Physical features aiding survival or reproduction.

Behavioural adaptations

Instinctual or learned actions for survival.

Physiological adaptations

Body functions aiding survival in habitats.

Biosphere

Global sum of all ecosystems and life.

Ecosystem

Organisms interacting with their environment.

Interdependence

Organisms relying on each other for survival.

Scavengers

Consume dead animals but don't recycle nutrients.

Decomposers

Break down dead matter, returning nutrients to soil.

Consumers

Organisms that eat other organisms for energy.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that eat plants and algae.

Carnivores

Animals that exclusively eat other animals.

Omnivores

Consumers that eat both plants and animals.

Food chain

Linear sequence showing energy flow among organisms.

Photosynthesis

Process converting sunlight into glucose and oxygen.

Energy flow

Direction of energy transfer in food chains.

Competition

Struggle between organisms for limited resources.

Freshwater habitats

Ecosystems like rivers and lakes with freshwater.

Forest habitats

Ecosystems dominated by trees and vegetation.

Desert habitats

Ecosystems characterized by low rainfall and arid conditions.

Polar habitats

Ecosystems found in cold, icy regions.

Rainforest habitats

Ecosystems with high rainfall and biodiversity.

Sun

Original energy source for ecosystems.

Food Chain

Path energy takes through an ecosystem.

Food Web

Network of interconnected food chains.

Symbiosis

Interaction between different organisms living together.

Ecology

Study of interactions between living things and environment.

Extinction

Complete disappearance of a species.

Endangered Species

Species close to extinction with very few left.

Vulnerable Species

Species facing rapid population decline.

Rare Species

Low population but stable numbers.

Natural Disasters

Catastrophic events caused by natural processes.

Man-Made Disasters

Catastrophic events caused by human actions.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that eat herbivores.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that eat secondary consumers.

Apex Predator

Top predator with no natural enemies.

Habitat Resources

Essential elements for organism survival.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns.

Sustainable Ecosystem

Ecosystem capable of maintaining ecological balance.

Threatened Species

Species at risk of extinction.

interdependence

the dependence of two or more species or things on each other.

ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together. Environment involves both living organisms and the non-living physical conditions. These two are inseparable but inter-related. The living and physical components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.

environment

the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

ecology

the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

habitat

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

autotroph

an organism that is able to form nutritional organic substances from simple inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide.

producer

A plant that makes food for itself & other organisms

heterotroph

an organism deriving its nutritional requirements from complex organic substances.

herbivore

an organism that only feeds on plants.

carnivore

an organism that only feeds on meat

omnivore

an organism feeds on everything

decomposer

an organism, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.