BIOL 1055 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Vocal Folds, Record Producer
Document Summary
The streaked tenrec ( hemicentetes semispinosus) is a rare, black and yellow mammal that looks like a cross between a shrew and a hedgehog. It has a long pointed snout and many spines dispersed amongst its fur. Among the many virtues of the streaked tenrec is its unusual type of communication. It has several spines or quills in a cluster along its lower back that it can tap together to produce unusual sounds. They are the only mammals in the world to use this unique type of quill communication. 1a. (10 pts) web of knowledge has only one paper (from 2010) on this phenomenon so it seems ripe for more study. One mystery is why these tenrecs evolved such an unusual style of communication. Wrong b/c this is a misconception about evolution. c. bad: the sharp spines of the tenrec are useful for deterring and defending against predators.
