Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs and have since developed many specialized traits, including feathers. While feathers originally evolved for insulation and display, they later allowed for flight. However, feathers also facilitate the spread of diseases like influenza. Understanding feather evolution can help prevent disease transmission. If vaccines were developed for birds, it could decrease viral infections and possibly eliminate diseases by removing birds' role as natural reservoirs.
This invite is open to all Pepperdine University Alumni. The event will take place on January 13th 2013 at the Esmeralda in Indian Wells. Please see attachment for additional information.
This invite is open to all Pepperdine University Alumni. The event will take place on January 13th 2013 at the Esmeralda in Indian Wells. Please see attachment for additional information.
1Running Head GIANT TREE FROG PROFILEGIANT TREE FROG PROFILE.docxfelicidaddinwoodie
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Running Head: GIANT TREE FROG PROFILE
GIANT TREE FROG PROFILE
Notice the presence of an appropriate cover page, page header, font, margin, paragraph and line spacing format.
Note correct scientific nomenclature
Organism Profile SCIN 130
Species Profile of the Giant Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor)
Author’s Name
American Public University System
**Note: This is a hypothetical example to give you an idea of how to format your profile and include the required sections. It is not necessary to follow all parts of this profile, as it is an example. Include required sections and information realizing that details will depend on your species and information found in reference sources.**
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Topic Sentence
Abstract
Phyllomedusa bicolor, also known as the giant tree frog, is a common amphibian found throughout the Amazon Basin Rainforest. This is the largest tree frog in the world characterized by a dark green color and white underside. It has a life cycle similar to many other frogs: egg, tadpole, mature frog. The skin of the giant tree frog has unique attributes that allow protection against sun damage, prevent dehydration and combat infection. The eyes of the tree frog have vertically slits, common in nocturnal creatures. The giant tree frog evolved with similar species over 200 million years ago. Indigenous people in Peru use skin secretions in a ritual called Kampo, to give hunters luck. Phyllomedusa bicolor is a fascinating frog common in rainforests with interesting adaptations that has cultural significance to native Peruvians.
Five main topics introduced (Background, Life cycle, Structure & Function, Evolution, Additional Interests)
Conclusions and Findings
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Common and scientific names are included.
Species Profile of the Giant Monkey Frog Phyllomedusa bicolor
Introduction
One of the most common frogs found in the richly diverse Amazon Basin is Phyllomedusa bicolor, the giant monkey tree frog. This amphibian, also known as the blue and yellow frog, bicolored tree frog, giant leaf frog or the waxy-monkey tree frog, lives throughout the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru (Frost, 2009). “Phyllomedusa” refers to the tree-dwelling nature of this frog; often times it can be seen clinging to the tops of leaves (Neckel-Oliveira & Wachlevski, 2004). This organism has an intriguing life cycle, evolutionary history, and anatomy. It is also a crucial part of a unique tradition with indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin area.
Note the citation here – this is appropriate because a fact that is not general knowledge is being discussed.
Specific biome is present in the introduction.
Introduction should identify the major sections of the paper to provide a preview of the paper.
Background
Many ...
1. Introduction: The Aves class has always been an interesting portion of the evolutionary Significance: Although not an initial adaptive feature, feathers have
eventually evolved to give birds flight. This allows birds to travel great distances,
tree of vertebrates. When looking at their anatomy and physiology they appear to have
but this also creates a problem. The issue is that now they can also facilitate the
characteristics of various classes. Birds are bipedal, endothermic, egg-laying, feathered, spread of diseases. Birds are reservoirs for certain diseases such as Influenza and
vertebrates. They may appear to look like mammals to some, but they have reptilian West Nile Virus. As a host, it allows the survival, amplification, and spread of
characteristics. Birds’ feet have a keratinized outer layer (stratum corneum) that is homologous to these viruses. This is important to know in order to stop the spread of diseases. If
the scales of reptiles. Birds also reproduce like reptiles by laying eggs. Aves also have many vaccines could be created for birds, there could be a drastic decrease in these
characteristics that differ from most reptiles. Reptiles are ectothermic while birds are viral infections. It could also possibly lead to the elimination natural reservoir,
endothermic. Birds also have developed a four chambered heart and hollow bones to aid them in effectively killing the disease. Scales, however, do not facilitate the spread of
flight while reptiles have a three chambered heart and dense solid bones. As a result of these diseases. Infecting an animal with scales is much harder because it provides more
various characteristics, it can be difficult for some to pinpoint where in history birds have made protection and does not carry germs as easily as feathers. The evolution of scales
their evolutionary ascent. Understanding when and why in history certain traits have developed, from theropods to feathers of the modern day bird has had positive impacts on
the species but are a growing concern for our community.
may help us better understand why certain adaptations such as feathers result in greater survival.
The discoveries of certain fossils, like the Archeopteryx, have helped evolutionary scientists and
paleontologists to get a better idea of where to place them. Certain diseases can also be spread
Future Predictions As feathers developed they have become
:
increasingly specialized in their form and function. Each Feather in a birds
from feathers, so knowing more information on feather evolution and morphology can help us
plumage has a specific use. Some feathers are used for insulation such as
better understand how to prevent diseases such as influenza and West Nile Virus.
the penguins use of small feathers and down to keep warm in the cold
temperatures of their environment (Du et al 2007). Some birds grow
Evolutionary History: feathers that aid in long migratory flights like Migratory Blackcaps (De La
Hera et al 2007). Other feathers are specialized in color, size and even
make up. The color of the feathers can be for attracting a mate such as
with the peacock tail feathers (Roslyn and Robert 2011), Or to help
camouflage an individual (Stoddard et al 2011). We believe that as time
continues and evolution shapes the uses of feathers that they will
become even more specialized. Alcids, a small water bird, have developed
feathers that when we increase insulation so that the bird stays warmer
when it is in the water (Ortega-Jimez et al 2010). Other possible
adaptations include increased water resistance, increased variation in
color and patterns, larger primary feathers to allowing for increased glide
ability, and decrease in down size to allow for more smaller feathers to
help insulate.
References:
