1. Many animals display courtship behaviour as a necessary process before mating can commence. Explain the advantage to these animals of displaying courtship behaviour.
Answer
Species recognition, identification of sexual maturity, identification of the opposite sex and synchronisation of gamete release.
2. What is meant by a phylogenetic hierarchy ?
Answer
Phylogenetic refers to reflecting evolutionary history, while hierarchy refers to large groups being divided into smaller groups with no overlap.
3. Complete the table below about the Eurasian wolf, Canis lupus.
Answer
4. The figure below shows the relationship between six different members of the taxonomic order Primates. Lemuridae, Loridae and Tarsiidae are all examples of the same taxon. Name this taxon.
Answer
Primates or order.
5. Name the other taxa that Nycticebus bancanus and Tarsius dentatus have in common.
Answer
Kingdom, Phylum and Class.
6. Eulemur collaris, Eulemur rufus and Lemur catta are all lemurs. What do their binomial names tell you about their evolutionary relationships to each other ?
Answer
Eulemur collaris and Eulemur rufus are more closely related to each other than either is to Lemur catta, because they share the same genus, whereas Lemur catta belongs to a different genus.
7. Scientists believe that the Loridae and Lemuridae are more closely related to each other than either group is to the Tarsiidae. Suggest and explain pieces of evidence that could be used to investigate this statement.
Answer
Evidence could include comparing DNA base sequences, RNA sequences, and amino acid sequences in key proteins. Closely related species are expected to show fewer differences in their DNA, RNA, and proteins. These differences arise from mutations, and the number of mutations increases over longer periods of evolutionary time.
8. The table below shows information about the different types of innate behaviour shown by each species of turtle. Innate behaviour is determined by alleles. Explain the evolutionary relationship between these species.
Answer
C. expansa and C. longicollis are most closely related to each other, as they belong to the same genus and are the only ones not to show foreclaw display and gulp. E. latisternum is more closely related to E. macquarii and E. subglobosa, since they share the same patterns of courtship behaviour, indicating closer evolutionary relationships.