onithology exam I

Brown Kreeper

A songbird that is phylogenetically distinct and builds small hammocks out of bark and spider webs.

Feral cats effect on bird population

Approximately 2 billion birds are killed by feral cats annually.

Inbreeding depression

A reduction in fitness and genetic diversity due to mating between closely related individuals in small populations.

Genetic drift

A process that can overpower natural selection, particularly in small populations, potentially reducing genetic variation.

Stopover sites

High-quality resource sites that migrating birds use for resting and refueling during their journeys.

Eutrophication

A process often caused by nutrient deposition from animal waste, leading to excessive plant growth in aquatic ecosystems.

Diffuse coevolution

Reciprocal evolutionary changes among interacting species, where the composition of dispersal agents varies in space and time.

Rule of 10

A principle in ecology indicating that about 80-90% of energy is lost at each trophic level, influencing abundance and diversity.

Keystone species

Species whose impact on an ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to their abundance.

Primary cavity nesters

Bird species, like woodpeckers, that create nesting cavities used by other species.

Ecological function of insects

Including seed dispersal, pollination, nutrient deposition, grazing, and regulation of community structure.

Biodiversity significance

High biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability, resource conservation, and the overall function of ecosystems.

Ecological guilds

Groups of species that exploit the same resources or ecological niches.

Feathers

Modified reptilian scales essential for thermoregulation and flight in birds.

Gizzard

A specialized stomach organ in birds that grinds food; it has a low pH aiding digestion.

Keeled sternum

A bone structure in birds providing an anchor for flight muscles, enhancing flight efficiency.

Clutch size variation

Significant differences in the number of eggs laid among bird species, ranging from one to over ten.