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study guide 306 mammal lecture exam
Introduction to Mammals
Basic characteristics of mammals
Unique traits of mammals
Key Terms
Mammary glands: Specialized glands responsible for milk production.
Dentary bones: Lower jawbones in mammals.
Inner ear bones: Bones essential for hearing, including the malleus, incus, and stapes.
Pinnae: External ear structures that help collect sound.
Endothermy: Ability to maintain a constant body temperature independent of the environment.
Torpor: A state of decreased physiological activity, often involving lowered metabolism and body temperature.
Dental formula: Representation of the number and types of teeth in mammals.
Neocortex: Part of the brain associated with higher-level brain functions.
Vibrissae: Whiskers or specialized hairs used for tactile sensing.
Compare/Contrast
Homeothermy vs. Heterothermy
Homeothermy: constant body temperature
Heterothermy: variable body temperature
Locomotion Types:
Plantigrade: walking on the soles of the feet (e.g., humans)
Digitigrade: walking on toes (e.g., dogs)
Unguligrade: walking on hooves (e.g., deer)
Groups of Mammals
Monotremes & Marsupials
Total living mammal species: 6,410
Number of mammal orders: 27
Most diverse orders: Rodentia (first), Chiroptera (second)
Taxonomic Ranks
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Monotremes and Marsupials
Characteristics of living monotremes and marsupials
Global distribution and key traits of the Virginia opossum and order Didelphimorphia.
Key Terms
Cloaca: A single opening for excretion and reproduction.
Epipubic bones: Bones present in some marsupials.
Echidna: A spiny monotreme.
Platypus: A unique egg-laying mammal.
Venomous spur: Found in male platypuses, used for defense.
Marsupium: Pouch in marsupials where infants develop.
Opposable hallux: A toe that can grasp, enhancing grip.
Prehensile tail: Tail used for grasping and holding.
Compare/Contrast
Monotremes vs. Marsupials vs. Placental mammals.
Armadillos, Shrews, and Moles
Overview: Basic characteristics and distribution of orders Cingulata (armadillos) and Eulipotyphla (shrews and moles).
Key Terms
Homodont dentition: Teeth are of similar type.
Fossorial: Adapted for digging.
Venomous saliva: Present in short-tailed shrews.
Sensory tentacles: Found on star-nosed moles.
Comparison
Shrew vs. Mole characteristics.
Bats
Characteristics of order Chiroptera and global distribution.
Benefits and negative impacts of bats on ecosystems and people.
Key Terms
Daily torpor: Short-term reduction of metabolic rate.
Patagium: Membrane extending from the body to wing in bats.
Uropatagium: Membrane between the hind legs.
Tragus: Small projection in the ear, important for echolocation.
Calcar: Cartilage supporting the patagium.
Echolocation: Method used by bats to navigate using sound.
Flying fox: A type of fruit bat.
White-nose syndrome: Fungal disease affecting bats.
Barotrauma: Injury caused by rapid pressure changes.
Wisconsin Bats
Characteristics of family Vespertilionidae.
Conservation status of Wisconsin bat species.
Key Terms
Delayed fertilization: A reproductive strategy in bats.
Comparison
Cave bats vs. Tree bats.
Lagomorphs
Overview of order Lagomorpha and family Leporidae.
Characteristics and distribution of Wisconsin lagomorphs.
Ecological importance and potential negative impacts of lagomorphs.
Key Terms
Rostral fenestration: Skull feature in lagomorphs.
Diastema: Gap between teeth.
Coprophagy: Eating feces to aid digestion.
Pika: Mountain-dwelling lagomorph.
Induced ovulation: Ovulation triggered by mating.
Precocial vs. Altricial: Developmental states of young.
10-year cycle: Population fluctuation pattern.
Warren: Burrow system.
Comparison
Hare vs. Rabbit.
Rodents
Order Rodentia overview and global distribution.
Ecological impact of rodents.
Key Terms
Ecosystem engineer: Species that shape their environment.
Sylvatic plague and Hantavirus: Diseases associated with rodents.
Wisconsin Rodents
Family characteristics of Sciuridae, Castoridae, Geomyidae, etc.
Key Terms
Scatter hoarder: Rodent behavior for food storage.
Carnivores
Overview of order Carnivora characteristics and distribution.
Wisconsin carnivore families: Mustelidae, Mephitidae, etc.
Ecological benefits and detriments of carnivores.
Key Terms
Carnassial pair: Specialized teeth for shearing.
Baculum: Bone found in the penis of some mammals.
Trophic cascade: Ecological phenomenon triggered by changes in the population of predators.
Keystone species: species that play a critical role in maintaining the structure of a community.
Delayed implantation: Delaying of embryo implant in uterus.
Extirpated: Species no longer found in a specific area.
Delisted: Removed from the endangered species list.
Comparison
Retractile vs. Non-retractile claws.
Delayed implantation vs. Delayed fertilization.
Hibernation vs. Winter torpor.
Carnivore vs. Omnivore.
Wolf vs. Coyote, Bobcat vs. Lynx, Canid vs. Felid.
Even-Toed Ungulates
Overview of order Artiodactyla characteristics and distribution.
Families: Suidae, Bovidae, Cervidae, etc.
Conservation status and distribution of Wisconsin ungulates.
Key Terms
Unguligrade: Walk on hooves.
Rumination: Process of digesting food in multiple stages.
Chronic Wasting Disease: A fatal neurological disease in deer.
Comparison
Antler vs. Horn characteristics.
Bovid vs. Cervid.
Other Mammal Orders
Details of lesser-known orders including their characteristics, global distribution, diet types, and unique features.
Conservation
Areas with high mammal species richness and endangered species.
Indonesia: Country with the most mammal species and endangered species.
Wisconsin Species
Examples of federally threatened, endangered, and delisted species in Wisconsin.
Discussion on risk factors for species endangerment.
Key Terms
IUCN Red List: Classification of species at risk of extinction.
Comparison
Extinct vs. Extinct in the Wild: Understanding species status.
Federally vs. State Threatened/Endangered: Differences in legislation and protection.
