Answer to Question #157542 in Biology for Anas Bajbouj

Question

) Select an animal alive today and research it’s evolutionary history. ( Example: the evolution of the horse)

 

ii) Think of how changes in the environment over time may have affected the evolution of the animal.

 

iii) Using Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection write a short three paragraph essay explaining why the animal you have chosen has evolved to what it is today. Be sure to describe the selective pressures that led to the evolution of your animal.

 

 

You need to use proper terminology as outlined in chapter 15 f the text.

 

Paragraph I: Intro and explain your animal and how it is suited to life as it is today.

 

Paragraph II: What did the animal look like in the past and how was the environment different.

  

Paragraph III: What changes in the environment occurred to lead to the evolution of your animal in it’s present day form.

 

 

 

Note: Spelling and grammar count. As well if you use material from any source directly in your essay it must be properly cited.

Answer 1

The evolution of the Lion

All lions share certain traits that the species developed in response to environment. Their tan color allows lions to blend in with the savannas, open woodlands and deserts in which they live. Long, retractable claws help lions snare their prey, while rough tongues make it easy for them to peel back the skin of that prey and expose its meat. Lions primarily hunt hoofed animals, such as zebras and wildebeest, so they have developed loose skin on their bellies that protects them from the frantic kicks of their prey.

The modern lion was probably widely distributed in Africa during the Middle Pleistocene and started to diverge in sub-Saharan Africa during the Late Pleistocene.Lions, and all members of the cat family, are believed to be descended from a common ancestor, called Proailurus Lemanensis which means simply 'first cat', a cat-like creature that stalked the Earth 25 million years ago.

During years of high flood, total lion pride sizes as well as reproductive rates declined. Prides showed extensive overlap in annual home ranges, likely as a result of habitat saturation at high densities, and pride sizes were not limited by prey availability. At the subgroup level, the number of attending cubs was the most consistent predictor of subgroup size of adult females.