PRIMATES - LIFE IN THE TREES

Primates are categorized into three major groups, the Presimians (e.g. Lemurs), the New World Monkeys (e.g. Squirrel Monkeys) and the Old World Monkeys (e.g. Gorillas). Definitive features of primates are a pentadactyl limb with an opposable thumb. Humans share a genetic sequence of 99% with chimpanzees, classifying them as modern apes.

 

My assignment will cover the classification with distinct similarities and unique features of each of the three groups. Along with this I will place them in the evolutionary line of all organisms and what makes primates different from all other organisms.

 

I will also look at the biogeography of each of the three groups and look at how location and climate affect the lifestyles and adaptations of each group. Also I will look at the biological relationship of humans with other apes and how different and similar they are.

 

Anzio Abels

Biodiversity & Conservation Biology Department

University of the Western Cape

2429667@uwc.ac.za

 

Insectivores- primitive placental

Insectivores get their name due to the fact that they are insect eating mammals. These include mammals such as shrews, moles and hedgehogs.
In this assignment I will be looking at the reason as to why these are thought to be the most primitive of placental mammals. This will be done by looking at their physical structure, morphology, age (how long they have been around for), classification as well as their threats and conservation status.
Most insectivores are secretive species that are often nocturnal. Their habitats range from being semi-aquatic to living under desert and Arctic conditions. Due to their small body size and secretive nature, it has resulted in these animals being overlooked, even thought they are of use to shaping our biodiversity.

 

Dlamini L.N
2449510@UWC.AC.ZA

PRIMITIVE MAMMALS IN AN EGG OR A POUCH?

I will do doing a presentation on primitive mammals, namely the
monotremes and marsupials. My primary focus will be their reproductive
behaviour (comparisons) as well as evolutionary origins.

Dane McDonald
Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535

PLACENTAL CARNIVORES, PAST AND PRESENT

Placental carnivores are a division of meat eating mammalian including
those that have a placenta. Two major groups of placental mammals made
the transition during the Paleocene the now extinct creodonts ( Order
Creodonta) and the true carnivores (Order Carnivora) that flourishes
today. I'll be looking at the similarities and differences in
phylogency, habitat, classification and the evolution of the two orders
. As well as the reasons the creodonts became extinct.

Ilse Kotzee
Student # 2456349
2456349@uwc.ac.za

living fossils: coelacanth

Ill look at a brief intoduction on the coelocanth, viewing its origin etc. Ill then briefly touch on its history, talking aout its extinction and the significance thereof.Ill then go on to the mormophology of the coelanth skeleton, trying to compare it with modern fishes. recent fishes. then talking of its biological characteristics and how it was discovered.

 

celeste thomas
2324851@uwc.ac.za

HERBIVORES - WHY DO THEY LIVE IN HERDS

My outline would involve first explaining what herbivores are and explain what the advantages and disadvantages are of living in herds. I will also compare different herbivore groups and analyse how their social behaviors differ.

 

Michelle Baatjies

 

Third year BCB student

 

Email 2431471@uwc.ac.za

CRUSTACEANS - JOINTED APPENDAGES FOR LOCOMOTION & FEEDING

The subject that I will be covering will include the following:
What are crustaceans and why are they the most diverse group of marine
arthropods?
What ecological requirements are needed for the survival of
crustaceans?
What food do they eat and what type of eating strategies do they use?
A brief description on the factors threatening survival for
crustaceans.
The economical and ecological importance of crustaceans.

Ashton Mouton
Student Number: 2432509
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535

E-mail: 2432509@uwc.ac.za

FERNS IN THE CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD

My main focus will be to examine the difference between seed ferns and real ferns and which ones were present during the Carboniferous period. To differentiate between the different types of ferns using leaf anatomy. Using fossil records to proof that these ferns existed in the carboniferous period.

 

Eugene Marinus
2357422@uwc.ac.za

Annelid diversity

In my presentation I will be discussing the major taxonomic groups
within the phylum annelida.How they differ in structure, function and
distribution.I will be looking at the medicinal use of leaches. I will
rewiew the significance of the evolution of segmentation and how this
trait could possibly link annelids to the arthropods.

M.van der bank
2401402@uwc.ac.za

CONTEMPORARY FROGS-ARE WE CHANGING THERE ENVIRONMEMT?

When doing this assignment i will be looking at where frogs naturally occur geographically and what there natural habitats are .Based on this i would like to look at how we influence their natural habitat and how these changes impact on there behaviors ,abundences(reproduction) and distrabution .Also looking at to which degreethier environment has changed and to which degree we have contributed to this changed .

 

Angela Campher
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department
University of the Western Cape
2432833@uwc.ac.za

REPTILES- HOW THEY HAVE SURVIVED THE KTT EXTINCTION

What are reptiles and how are they classified into different groups. How
does the morphology of these organisms affect their different survival
strategies. What happend in the cretaceous tertiary period and what were
the main causes and outcomes of this massive extinction.

Nicole Prinsloo
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Zoology Department
University of the Western Cape
Email : 2449162@uwc.ac.za

ANGIOSPERMS-FLOWERING PLANTS HAVE ARRIVED

In my presentation I will be examing the basal lineage of flowering plants-angiosperms, when they originated and where.I will also be looking at the current success of angiosperms and their associated insect pollinators as well as their diversity along their geological time scale.

 

Simone Neethling
BCB Department
University of the Western Cape
241343632@uwc.ac.za

CNIDARIA AND CTENOPHORE: PPT OUTLINE

In a week I will present a on The plyllum Cnidaria and Ctenophores.My
presentation will contain information on their discription,origin,
anatomy, systematics and life history and ecology. Should I found
anything else which is not on my list I will include that.

Lee-Mervin Mentoor
2111335
University of the Western Cape

Conifers success in the Northern Hemisphere

Conifers are the most successful of the gymnosperms; this group of
plants has seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary. They originally
emerged during the Carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago and
they are still around today. There are around 570 species and they cover
large areas of the temperate and sub Polar Regions. Their reproductive
structures are well protected, by the cones, hence the name conifers.
The other characteristics are: needle-like foliage but does not occur
with all conifers. The conifer group includes monkey puzzle trees of
South America and Australasia; the redwoods of China and the USA; and
the Pinaceae, the most successful conifer family which includes around
300 species of pines, larches, spruces, firs and cedars. The members of
this group have narrow, needle-like leaves that are suited to resist
drought, fire and frost. They have dominated the colder parts of the
northern temperate zones very successfully. This family has probably
benefited from the recent cooling and drying of the world's climate; it
has assisted them to spread further over the northern hemisphere. Boreal
forests of pine, spruce and larch cover huge areas of the sub arctic,
while evergreen forests of pines and cedars cover much of the drier
temperate areas, including the Mediterranean. The larches are one of the
few deciduous conifers and inhabit even the inhospitable plains of
northeast Siberia where not even tough conifer needles could survive the
cold dry winters.

http://www.fathom.com/course/21701736/21701736_conifer.html

NCUMISA MNOTOZA
Environmental and Water Sciences
2253897@uwc.ac.za

CNIDARIA AND CTENOPHORE: PPT OUTLINE

Description
Origin
Anatomy
Systematics
Life History and Ecology

Lee-Mervin Mentoor
2111335
University of the Western Cape

ECHINODERMS

In order for an organism to be included in the phylum of echinodermata, they have to be able to consist of the following four synapomorphies (Wray, unknown). Together, these synapomorphies define much of what makes the functional biology of echinoderms distinctive from that of other metazoans (Wray, unknown). Firstly, they must have a calcitic skeleton composed of many ossicles. Echinoderm skeletons are composed of calcium carbonate and several proteins (Wray, unknown). Ossicles are not solid, but have a sponge-like microstructure called stereom that is unique to the phylum (Wray, unknown). Secondly, they must have a water vascular system (Wray, unknown). The water vascular system performs many important functions in echinoderms, including locomotion, respiration, and feeding; in addition, most sensory neurons are located at the termini of podia (tubefeet) which are part of this organ system (Wray, unknown).Thirdly, the body must contain mutable collagenous tissue which provides some interesting mechanical advantages, including the ability to maintain a variety of postures with no muscular effort (Wray, unknown). Lastly, there should be pentaradial body organization in adults (Wray, unknown). The scientific classification of the phylum echinodermata goes as follows.

Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Metazoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Classes:
Asteroidea
Blastoidea (extinct)
Concentricycloidea
Crinoidea
Echinoidea
Holothuroidea
Ophiuroidea
Source: www.Wikipedia.com

Echinoderms are an ancient group of animals extending back to the Cambrian period (Hickman et al, 2004). Despite an excellent fossil record, the origin and early evolution of echinoderms are still obscure (Hickman et al, 2004). It seems clear that they descend from bilateral ancestors because their larvae are bilateral but become radially symmetrical later in their development (Hickman et al, 2004).


Sea urchins graze kelp and may reach population densities large enough to destroy kelp forests at the rate of 30 feet per month (Anon , 2005). Urchins move in "herds," and enough urchins may remain in the "barrens" of a former kelp forest to negate any attempt at regrowth (Anon , 2005). Sea otters, playing a critical role in containing the urchin populations, prey on urchins and thus control the numbers of kelp grazers (Anon , 2005).

Reference:

Anonymous , (2005) downloaded from http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov , 13/03/06
Hickman. P, Roberts. L, Larson. A, I'Anson. H. (2004) Integrated principles of zoology, twelfth edition, McGraw-Hill Companies, pg 443

Wray, G.A (date unknown).downloaded from http://tolweb.org , 11/03/06

www.Wikipedia.com , 11/03/06

 

DALE OVERMEYER

 

2355332

 

696 0309

 

083 272 1002

flightless birds that filled the niche after the demise of the dinosaur

Gastornis geiselensis was discovered at the Gieseltal site in Germany and Northern America. They were meat eaters, scavenges and hunters. they were approximately 1.75m tall and were considered one of the largests animals of there time. They had large beaks for crushing bones and nuts aswell as a means of sexual display. Due to there size they were considered ambush hunters and lived in thick forests, and were considered the top predators of the Eocene time period. In Northern America the same bird occured called Diatryma , however it was taller (2m). there closests relatives were the Rallidae family, eg moorhens.

construction of power point presentation.
research fossil records of organism
were it was found and the difference in various species
who found the fossil and who named it.
taxonomic classification
diagrams
research of other fossilized bones from the same era.
research territoriality or organism.

 

 

Kim Adams
2323889@uwc.ac.za