EE BIOL 185 Midterm: MT 1 review
8 Feb 2017
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Definition of adaptation: trait that increases ability of individual to survive/reproduce compared to individuals without the trait, trait that i(cid:374)creases orga(cid:374)is(cid:373)"s fit(cid:374)ess/is a result of the process of (cid:374)atural selectio(cid:374) for its present function. Definition of exaptation: trait that currently serves one function today but that evolved from a trait that served a different function in the past. Show that individuals possessing the trait leave more offspring that those that do not: 3. Show that the trait was shaped by natural selection to serve the same primary function that make it beneficial today. Hypotheses testing: oxpeckers: oxpeckers: birds associated with large mammals mutualism. Birds eat ticks off mammals to gain nutrients. Mammals have fewer ticks, less parasites: observation/oxpecker exclusion experiment change in tick load over a month, open wounds, earwax removal. No effect of oxpeckers on tick load: more interested in feasting on blood, ear wax, dead skin, rather than eating ticks.
