Post on 05-Jan-2016
description
Evolutionary Designs of African Animals
Danielle LessoCollege of EngineeringPennsylvania State University
[mwanasimba]
During the dry season in the African grasslands, fiercecompetition exists among the animals for water
2 [cnx.org]
On the African savannah, predators of different sizes and strategies compete for large herd animals
This talk presents evolutionary designs of the largest, tallest, and fastest land animals on the planet
African Elephant
GiraffeCheetah
4
Modern elephants are the only remaining species of a vast order of animals
[www.nationalelephantcenter.org]
5
[www.defenders.org]
Elephants have changed size and shape over time
6
[www.smallkidshomework.com]
Using infrasonic sounds, elephants can communicate up to several kilometers apart
infrasonic
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Human hearing range
[www.birds.cornell.edu]
Infrasonic communication is made possible by the elephant’s unique hyoid and trunk
time
8
[www.sciencdirect.com]
[www.birds.cornell.edu]
Elephants can communicate long distances by using seismic vibrations
9
Elephants can also physically generate seismic vibrations
[physiologyonline.physiology.org]
10
Seismic signals are picked up in the elephants’ wide feet
11 [physiologyonline.physiology.org]
Fatty Cushion
Elephants are masters of communication, thanks to key evolutionary designs
[www.pixabay.com]12
Reflection on the delivery of this section’s speakers
Giraffes are truly unique African mammals
15
[commons.wikimedia.org][flickr.com]
[zoo.org]
Evolutionary designs help giraffes survive in the dangerous African savannah
[Fore, Himes, Thomas; Dr. Eric Chudler]16
The coat of the giraffe aids in camouflage and parasite protection
[commons.wikimedia.org]
17
benzene
p-cresol
[Fore, Himes, Thomas]
Giraffes’ coats also play a role in thermoregulation
18
[commons.wikimedia.org]
[universalhealthcarela.com]
Sites of thermoregulation
The circulatory system of giraffes overcomes the challenges posed by the animal’s height
19
[panzajpanal.pl]
Valves in the neck arteries keep giraffes from passing out when they have to live their lift heads quickly
20
[panzajpanal.pl]
[wiki.hicksvilleschools.org]
Characteristic height and good eyesight are also key to survival
21 [Fore, Himes, Thomas]
RightLeft
Both
The giraffe is very capable of survival, thanks to evolutionary designs
22 [commons.wikimedia.org]
Reflection on the delivery of this section’s speakers
[en.wikipedia.org]25
Cheetahs have evolved into excellent hunters
[commons.wikimedia.org]
[wildencounters.net][flickr.com]
[pixabay.com]
A cheetah is a great hunter because of its speed, keen senses, and clever strategies
[flickr.com]
Speed Senses
[wildencounters.net]
26[pixabay.com]
Strategies
A cheetah has an extremely flexible spine, powering its long stride
[youtube.com]
27
[flickr.com]
The long tails of cheetahs allow them to make quick turns, while their claws provide traction
[art.com]
28
A cheetah relies on both its eyesight and its hearing to locate and stalk prey
29[philtulga.com]
[flickr.com]
The cheetah uses strategy to complement its physical advantages during hunting
30
[worldnomads.com]
There are drawbacks to being the fastest land animal
[www.wildencounters.net]
31
Even with the drawbacks, the cheetah is a unique predator because of its evolutionary design
32 [flickr.com]
In summary, evolutionary designs have allowed elephants, giraffes, and cheetahs to survive in extreme conditions
African Elephant
Giraffe33
Cheetah
However, man poses challenges to these species that evolutionary change might not be able to overcome
34
[Pringle]
[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
Reflection on the delivery of this section’s speakers