Biology 101 Laboratory
Riverbanks Zoo Report
The following assignment will allow you to make observations related to a particular class of animal. You will be asked to describe an animalıs habitat, nutritional strategy, means of defense, reproductive behavior, relationships with other organisms in its habitat, and any special adaptations that improve the chances that the animal will survive in its habitat. Some of the information, including the common and scientific name of the animal, and often its habitat and some additional information, will be available at the enclosure of the animal at the zoo. Additional information needed to complete the report can be found in the Zooıs library (if available), and any other reference sources may be used (books, encyclopedias, internet pages), so long as appropriate citation of references is included in the report.
Lab Report for Zoo Animal:
The lab report will consist of a 1-2 page written report based on the responses to the following topics. The organization of the report is left to you, but often the suggestion of creating a short paragraph for each of the topics below works well (for both writer and reviewer!). Please include at least two sources of the information (of which Riverbanks Zoological Park is one), and include all references in APA format at the end of the report. Although direct quotations from the reference text may be used, this work must be written in your own words & style. An example of an APA style reference for a web page and a book on tigers is given at the end of these topics. An in-class presentation is optional!
Animal Class _____________________________________
Scientific name ____________________________________
Common name ____________________________________
1. Describe this animalıs habitat. Include the geographical range for animals of the species, and the biome(s) that would be encompassed in this range.
2. Describe the diet and nutritional strategy (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, filter feeder) for this species. Also describe the organisms dentition (teeth), and if (and how) the size and shape of the teeth assist the animal in its feeding strategy. Does the animal have any other adaptations related to feeding?
3. Describe the means of defense, and defense strategies, used by this animal.
4. Describe any protective coloration or camouflage used by the animal, and any benefits to the animal afforded by these.
5. Give at least 3 additional anatomical or behavioral adaptations (other than those described above) that assist the survival of this animal in its environment. Include anatomical, physiological, and behavioral types of adaptations, and relate these adaptations to the unique environmental pressures found in this animalıs geographical range.
6. Describe the reproductive strategy used by this animal (r-strategy or k-strategy) and the extent of parental care of offspring. Also include any specialized reproductive behavior (courtship rituals and/or territoriality).
7. Describe any symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism) this animal has with other organisms in its habitat.
8. Describe the evolutionary pressures (if any) on the survival of this animal. Discuss whether this animal is currently an endangered species, or the long-term survival of its species is threatened in any way. If so, indicate the reasons (habitat destruction, hunting, predation, lack of predation, disease, etc).
Reference Examples:
1.
Tilson, Janet and Tilson, Ron. (No
Date). 5 TIGERS : All About Tigers.
[Online]. Retrieved April 4, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.5tigers.org/Basics/Phys_Ecol_Sociol/basics3.htm
2. Seidensticker, John. (1996). Tigers. Voyageur Press, Stillwater, Minn.
For more information on APA
reference format, see:
http://wally.rit.edu/pubs/guides/apa.html#electronic (*shows formats, & better examplestry here first) http://humanities.byu.edu/linguistics/Henrichsen/APA/APA09.html (more information)