Adaptations and Biodiversity Adaptations A variation in an

Adaptations and Biodiversity

Adaptations A variation in an organism that makes it better able to cope with it’s environment.

Structural Adaptations • An organism changes the structure of body parts Wow! Is that a leaf?

MIMICRY • When a population’s natural selection results in the appearance of the organisms being similar to another species.

• The Moth’s Wings Mimic the eyes of an owl. • Isn’t that a HOOT!

Viceroy- very tasty (bottom) mimics the poisonous Monarch (top) Butterfly

The “meat eating” venus fly trap mimics a normal plant. Waiting for the prey

Insects are attracted because of the sweet tasting nectar.

The soil that this plant lives in is nutrient poor so the population has adapted to catch prey (and nutrients).

More Mimicry • http: //www. rzuser. uniheidelberg. de/~bu 6/Introduction 06. html

Warning Coloration Bright colors indicates DANGER to predators Bright yellow markings on the Gila Monster indicates it is poisonous.

WARNING DON’T EAT THE MUSHROOMS Bright colors indicate that it is poisonous.

Camouflage allows organism to blend in with its surroundings.

Cryptic coloration - a color or pattern of coloration which blends in well with the visual appearance of its habitat

The Grey Tree Frog blends in with the bark on a tree.

No lichen on trees Lichen on Trees The peppered moths demonstrate how they adapt to the changing environment. Pollution killed the lichens on the trees which allowed the light colored moths camouflage. The Dark colored moths adapted to blend in with the bark. Can you see the four moths?

The Aphid Lion disguises himself by attaching the remains of his prey to his back, making himself look like a crawling junkyard. Predators may overlook this unappetizing sight.

The Snow shoe hare has been adapted to change color in the winter.

Physiological Adaptations A change in an organisms metabolic process. Plants must either adapt to changes in the environment or die. They can’t move to a favorable climate. For example, desert plants can live in a warm dry environment.

Green plants, from the simplest algae to the tallest trees are adapted to the availability of sunlight, water, and Carbon dioxide to manufacture the food they need to change. Chlorophyll allows photosynthesis change sunlight into chemical energy.

Deer have been adapted to the cold winter by natural selection to have a warm fur coat.

Behavioral Adaptations Population of organisms change their behavioral patterns to allow them to survive.

Courtship Rituals A Tom strutting his stuff!! The strongest ram will mate with the ewes and pass on his genes.

Using Tools Wood. Pecker Finch uses a cactus spine to get grubs out of a tree.

Using Tools This shrike uses a thorn to kill the grasshopper.

Chimpanzees love to eat termites. A stick becomes a handy tool for collecting the juicy insects.

More behavioral adaptations. The archer fish spits water, knocking an unsuspecting bug into the water.

Biodiversity - Species are constantly adapting to their environment creating a variety of life on the planet. • Check out some of these unique creatures! • Can you tell what special adaptations these creatures have?

How do these organisms show the result of adaption?

The evolution of a species is the direct result of innumerable genetic errors allowing the organisms to become better adapted to its environment.

Man causes a tremendous amount of change to his environment. What happens if change occurs too fast?

Some populations may adapt and live in an environment changed by humans.

Others may not be as fortunate!

70 million years ago the giant dinosaurs mysteriously vanished from the earth.

The next great dying out may not be a mystery!