Hey Everyone,
During a recent field trip to the Toronto Zoo Mr. Melegos developed this Population Statistics Assignment to be completed. The completed assignment can be found below and a link to a downloadable PDF version is attached to the title of the assignment. Enjoy!
Population Ecology Zoo Assignment
NAME: Michael Wright________
1. Choose an organism and indicate its common name and its scientific name in the space provided. [2 Marks]The organism that was selected for analysis in this assignment was the Solomon Island Leaf Frog. The scientific name for this organism is Ceratobatrachus Guentheri.
2. Describe its appearance and three distinct features. Include a photo in the space provided. [5 Marks] The Solomon Island Leaf Frog can be easily identified thanks to the variety of physical characteristics which it possesses. This particular organism has a head which is very triangular in shape. The other truly defining characteristic of the frog is the large projections which extend from the head of the frog and out over the eyes. These "eyelash" like projections can reach upwards of 7.6cm in larger individuals. Another physical characteristic of the frog are the ridged veins that run from the rear of the head and down along the body of the organism. The combination of these three characteristics coupled with their wide range of colouration (gold earthy browns to green) culminate in an organism which adopts effective camouflage in its environment.
4. What type of population does it exhibit (Clumped, Uniform, or Random)? Explain. [2 Marks]The Solomon Island Leaf Frog exhibits a uniform variety of population dispersion. Within its defined distribution range the frogs are able to tolerate a wide variety of environmental stresses and as a result have distributed fairly evenly. The frogs can survive nearly everywhere and have dispersed in order to utilize all of the resources available in their environment. This expansion in search of resources resulted in a uniform population distribution pattern.
5. List one density-dependant and one density-independent factors that would influence the population size of your chosen species. [2 Marks] One density-dependant factor which would influence the population size of the Solomon Island Leaf Frog is the availability of food and proper shelter. As the frog population increases the food and proper nesting areas are decreased. This problem is being further increased as the forested areas where the frogs make their homes are being destroyed by human intervention. As the frogs increase in population the resources available will be more tightly stretched. If population were to continue growing the amount of food and shelter would need to be increased. As this is not the case the amount of food and proper shelter acts as a density-dependant factor. A density-independent factor which is influencing the population size of the frogs is the introduction of toxins into the water-supply as a result of pesticides. These pesticides are water soluble and get dissolved in the water supply of the forest which the frogs then ingest. The pesticide can cause mutations and organ failure in the frogs leading to death. These toxins affect all of the frogs equally and the effects are not related to the population density of the population.
6. Describe its interactions within communities. For example, list a competitor, a predator, and a symbiotic relationship (parasitism, mutualism, or commensalism). [3 Marks] Within its community the Solomon Island Leaf Frog competes with a wide variety of different organisms for food. The diet of the frogs consists of insects, small lizards and small amphibians. As a result of its varied diet the frogs have a variety of different competitors including the Guadalcanal Bow-Fingered Gecko which shares a diet almost identical to the Solomon Island Leaf Frog. A predator for the Solomon Island Leaf Frog is the Red-Lipped Emo Skink whose diet consists of many moderately sized amphibians and lizards. Another fact to take into account is that fully matured Solomon Island Leaf Frogs will eat other smaller frogs of the same species. This means that one of the predators to the Solomon Island Leaf Frog is the Solomon Island Leaf Frog. The Solomon Island Leaf Frog is also present in a symbiotic relationship with the "Guinea Worm". This worm makes its way into the digestive tract of the frog and "steals" the nutrients which the frog acquires through ingesting its prey. This is an example of parasitism involving the Solomon Island Leaf Frog.
7. List four other interesting facts about your organism. [4 Marks] The Solomon Island Leaf Frog is an astounding organism with a variety of different interesting facts associated with it. One of the most interesting facts associated with these frogs is the lack of a metamorphic stage in their development. The frogs hatch directly from the egg as "froglets" and continue to grow in size until fully matured. The tadpole portion of the development is skipped entirely. Another interesting fact about the frogs is the fact that they are nocturnal in nature. These frogs are most active at night and are said to make the forests which they inhabit explode with sound once the sun goes down. As nocturnal creatures they sleep during the day and perform such activities as hunting at night. One more interesting fact associated with the Solomon Island Leaf Frog is its reproductive schedule. These frogs do not have a defined "mating period". As a result the frogs are laying eggs in small pits off and on year round. Finally, these frogs have a very defined call which is used in a cornucopia of roles. The croak of the Solomon Island Tree Frog is uncharacteristically deep considering the size of the frog. The pitch and rhythm of the croaks will change based on the use of the croak. There are different croaks defined for mating, communication and intimidation. All in all the Solomon Island Leaf Frog is an incredible organism with a collection of adaptations which allow for it to thrive in its habitat.
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