Amazing Race
By: Jeremy L., Rodrigo Z., Brandon E., Peyton C., Luke C.
Pre-Travel
Vaccines
Before traveling around the world, all veterans know they must take vaccines to prevent getting any type of diseases while in all the different, exotic ecosystems. Each vaccine puts a “sample” of the disease so that our bodies are prepared to fight the “actual” disease if, and when, it enters our body. Below is the vaccines we took.
BCG (Vaccine against tuberculosis)
Yellow Fever Vaccine (For yellow fever)
- Flu Shot. (For any type of flu.)
Problems
Countries Around the World
China, Bora Bora, Brazil, Morocco, Galapagos, Australia
China (1 Type of Fish)
Grass carp
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Scientific Name: Ctenopharyngodon idella
Grass carp
Three Adaptations:
1. Mouth are non-fleshy and lips are firm to be able to eat large amount of plants.
2. Body color is dark olive to a brownish yellow to be able to blend in with the plant life and the ground. This helps them hide from predators.
3. Grass carp can grow very quickly. This helps the species survive and reproduce quicker when population numbers are low.
How do they reproduce?
Grass carp reproduce in flowing water like rivers and streams. They will not reproduce in still water like lakes and ponds. They lay many eggs in flowing waters.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
These fish mainly consume aquatic plants. They eat vegetation but can eat insects and small invertebrates. The are primary consumers in the food chain/web.
Bibliography
"Grass Carp." Ohio Department of Natural Resources - camping, boating, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking in Ohio > Home > ODNR Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/grasscarp/tabid/6641/Default.aspx>.
"Grass carp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_carp>.Bora Bora (1 Type of Fish)
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Perciformes
Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalareAngelfish
1. Jaws: Angelfish are able to scrape, clip and rip food that's tethered to undersea surfaces.
2. Compressed bodies with a thin and very slim shape enable Angelfish to slip through thickets of plant growth to escape a fight with another angel or escape danger.
3. Natural coloration consists of a silvery background with three or more dark brown stripes. This is very effective for hiding from predators.
How do they reproduce?
Angelfish lay their eggs on a surface to attach the eggs. When everything is ready the female will lay their eggs then the male will go over all the eggs. When the male swims over each egg he fertilizes them.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
The angelfish is important because it eats off the remaining food off the ground or around the coral reef. Which ultimately balances out the food chain by eating the small fish at the bottom of the ocean or river stuck to the rocks or surface.
Bibliography
"Bizarre Jaws Help Angelfish Adapt to What's on Menu." Msnbc.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.
"Freshwater Aquarium/adaptation and Its Advatage to Its Survival for Angelfish." Freshwater Aquarium: Adaptation and Its Advatage to Its Survival for Angelfish, Dark Brown Stripes, Natural Coloration. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.
"How Do Angelfish Reproduce?" - Ask.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.
Brazil (Frog)
Brazilian Horned Frog
Class- Amphibia
Order- Anura
Scientific Name- Ceratophrys aurita
Brazilian Horned Frog
1. Its sticky tongue helps it to catch food easier.
2. It absorbs moisture through skin which helps with breathing.
3. Its strong legs to enable high jumping abilities to escape predators and easy access to difficult places.
How do they reproduce?
Male frog release sperms in external medium i.e;water and after the release of egg by female frog. The sperms released by male frog get fused with the egg resulting in the formation of zygote and the embryo genesis also occurs in external medium.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
To maintain a stable food chain and food web and to distribute energy to the higher level consumers.
Bibliography
"The Frog Ranch | Brazilian Horned Frog." The Frog Ranch | Supplier of Tropical Frogs, Since 1989. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://www.thefrogranch.com/brazilian.html>.
"Reptiles and Amphibians » Frogs » Horned Frog - Brazilian Main Page." CentralPets.com - All About Pets and Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://www.centralpets.com/animals/reptiles/frogs/frg2506.html>.
Morocco (Lizard)
Desert Monitor
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Scientific Name: Varanus griseusDesert Monitor
1. They like to burrow a lot, so being able to position their nostrils help keep the dirt out.
2. Their arms and legs help them run up to 20 mph for short amounts of time. Helps them escape from predators or catch prey.
3. Mouths are made to be venomous. Helps them fight other dangers and catch food.
How do they reproduce?
Lizards copulate with other mates. Females lay eggs.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
Help keep the food chain and web going. They eat a lot of animals and keep the population of small animals balanced.
Bibliography
"WhoZoo: Desert Monitor." WhoZoo Welcome Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013.
<http://whozoo.org/Intro2003/TylerMabry/TM_Varanus_griseus.htm>.
"Desert Monitor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanus_griseus#Reproduction>.
"Desert Monitor Lizard | A Photo Diary." A Photo Diary. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://elsanaumann.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/desert-monitor-lizard/>.
Galapagos (Fish Eating Bird)
Blue-footed Booby
Class: Aves
Order: Suliformes
Scientific Name: Sula nebouxii
Blue-footed Booby
1. Able to fold back long wings back to be able to dive deep in the water to catch food
2. Webbed feet to protect, cover, and warm their babies
3. Having bluer feet to attract mates (can help reproduce population)
How do they reproduce?
Males usually strut or perform a dance type ritual that attracts mates. Once female is attracted and takes interest, they reproduce and the female lays 2-3 eggs. These birds are monogamous.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
It helps balance out the food web and chain by consuming small fishes like anchovies and sardines. If there were too many small fishes, there would be less primary consumers causing an imbalance.
Bibliography
"Blue-footed Booby - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-footed_Booby#Breeding>.
"Blue-Footed Boobies, Blue-Footed Booby Pictures, Blue-Footed Booby Facts - National Geographic." Animals - Animal Pictures - Wild Animal Facts - Nat Geo Wild - National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/blue-footed-booby/>.
"Blue-footed Booby Facts - Blue-footed Booby Day - Galapagos Conservation Trust." Galapagos Conservation Trust - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013. <http://www.savegalapagos.org/bluefootedboobyday/blue-footed-booby-facts.shtml>.
Australia (Placental)
Blue Whale
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Scientific Name: Balaenoptera musculus
Blue Whale
1. String fins to propel it through the water
2. Instead of teeth, it has plates to filter krill, their food, from the water
3. Blow holes allow them to breathe air with ease
How do they reproduce?
The male and female undergo sexual reproduction. Females give live birth underwater.
Why are they important in the ecosystem?
It keeps control over the krill and plankton population, keeping them from overpopulating. It also provides food for the Killer Whale, the only known predator of the Blue Whale.
Bibliography
"Blue Whales, Blue Whale Pictures, Blue Whale Facts - National Geographic." Animals - Animal Pictures - Wild Animal Facts - Nat Geo Wild - National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/blue-whale/>.
"Blue whale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_whale>.