Chapter 9 Review
1. How long ago did vertebrates “invade” the continents?
2. List three adaptations that vertebrates have for life on land.
3. When did whales “re-invade” the oceans?
4. What are the three classes of vertebrates that have marine representatives? (Fig. 9.1)
Marine Reptiles
5. Generally describe reptiles
6. What does “poikilotherm” mean? “Ectotherm”? (p. 75)
7. What are the four salt-water reptiles?
8. Describe sea turtles, including heir characteristics. Give at least 2 examples of sea turtles
9. Describe sea turtle reproduction
10. Give at least four reasons why sea turtles are endangered
11. Describe sea snakes, including their characteristics
12. Describe marine iguanas, including their characteristics
13. Describe salt-water crocodiles
Seabirds
14. Generally describe birds, including four important characteristics
15. What does “homoeotherm” mean? “Ectotherm”?
16. What are seabirds? Describe them.
17. What are the five types of seabirds?
18. Describe the penguins
19. Describe the tubenose birds
20. Describe the pelicans and related birds
21. Describe the gulls and related birds
22. Describe the shore birds
23. Which of the seabirds are most adapted for life at sea? Which are least adapted for life at sea?
Marine Mammals
24. Describe the distinguishing mammalian characteristics of marine mammals
Marine Mammals: Types of Marine Mammals
25. List the four groups of marine mammals, to what order they belong, and their closest land-based
relatives
26. Describe the order pinnipedia
27. Briefly describe seals (Fig 9.9)
28. Describe the economic and conservation status of seals.
29. Briefly describe sea lions (Fig 9.9)
30. Describe the economic and conservation status of sea lions
31. Briefly describe walruses
32. Describe the marine mammals in the order Carnivora
33. Describe sea otters
34. Describe
35. The economic and conservation status of sea otters
36. Describe polar bears
37. Describe order sirenia
38. Describe the conservation status of sirenians
39. Describe Cetacia
40. What is convergent evolution? How does it apply to cetaceans? (Fig 9.9)
41. What are the two groups of cetaceans?
42. Describe the appendages of cetaceans, including the flippers, fins, flukes, and blowholes
43. What are the two groups of cetaceans?
44. Describe the toothless, filter-feeding whales (Fig 9.17)
45. What are rorquals?
46. What are krill? (p.136)
47. Describe the feeding style of the “non”-rorqual toothless whales
48. Describe the toothed whales
49. Describe the sperm whale.
50. Describe the orca
51. Describe the small toothed whales
52. Are dolphins and porpoises the same “thing”?
53. What are three reasons that cetaceans are at risk of extinction?
54. What is the significance of the International Whaling Commission?
55. What is the significance of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972?
Marine Mammals: Biology of Marine Mammals
56. Describe adaptations of marine mammals for swimming
57. Describe adaptations of marine mammals for diving
58. Describe echolocation (fig 9.26)
59. Briefly describe how echolocation occurs in cetaceans (fig 9.26)
60. What other organisms echolocate?
61. Describe the vocalizations of marine mammals. Why do marine mammals vocalize?
62. Describe at least two behaviors (in addition to vocalization) of marine mammals.
63. Why do marine mammals migrate? (Fig 9.31)
64. What is migration (p. 168)
65. Briefly describe the migration pattern of the gray whale as an example (fig 9.31)
66. Describe reproductive behavior in pinnipeds
67. State two reasons why cetaceans have sexual intercourse
68. Describe the birth and early life of baby cetaceans
Critical Thinking Questions
69. Sea turtles have disappeared from many regions, and one way of trying to save them is to reintroduce
them into areas where they have been wiped out. This is done by reburying eggs or by releasing
newborn baby turtles on beaches. Why do they do this instead of releasing fully grown individuals?
70. Most seabirds are specialists that feed on particular types of fish and other prey. In some cases this may
reduce the chances of competing with other species of for limited resources. Sometimes, however, we
find two or more species of seabirds feeding on the same type of fish. What types of mechanisms might
have evolved to prevent direct competition?
71. Cetaceans give birth to a few well-developed calves at well-spaced intervals. They also feed and protect
the calves for long periods. This is in sharp contrast to most fishes, which spawn many eggs and spend
no time feeding and protecting their offspring. What do you think is the best strategy? Has this strategy
paid off in the great whales?