Catégories : Tous - genetics - survival - adaptation - evolution

par SARAH OUHIB Il y a 11 mois

81

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

The Arctic fox, scientifically known as Vulpes lagopus, belongs to the Canid family and has evolved several adaptations to survive in the harsh Arctic environment. These adaptations include a genetic predisposition for thick, color-changing fur that helps with camouflage and insulation against the cold.

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

Foxes

Coyotes

Domestic Dogs

Polar Bears

Wolves

more food available during these times

Canid Family

Taxonomy of actic fox

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

Genetics

Reproduction (the strategies they use)
Dens (for shelter and birth)

provides protection from extreme weather and preditors

Females create dens to give birth in

Females create dens to shelter the young

Monogamous Pairing

the foxes form monogamous pairs

better chance of survival for offspring

Seasonal Breeding

Late winter

Early spring

Adapt to resource availability

Shelter availabilty

The foxes will find a shelter before reproducing

Food availabilty

The foxes will wait until theres enough food for them to reproduce

Genetic adaptation to cold
Behavioral traits

Adaptive behavior

Burrowing

Seeking shelter

Helps conserve heat

Body size

compact body size

Minimizes heat loss

Fur

Colour

Thickness

Evolution

Fossils
Fossils of ancestral canids

The family Arctic foxes belong to

Found in Arctic locations

Explains why Arctic foxes adapt well to cold tempuratures

Adaptation over time

The fur thickness, body size, and traits crucial for Arctic conditions could be traits that evolved over time.

these evolved traits might indicate how the species adapted to diffrent weather

Natural selection
Reproductive success

Foxes that have traits related to reproduction like, good timing of breeding are subject to natural selection

Predator avoidance

Foxes that exhibit burrowing and den-building behaviors have higher survival rates and pass the trait to future generations.

Fur colour adaptation

White fur is more favoured because of the environment they live in. (snowy)

Animal Systems

Circulatory system
Thermoregulation
Blood Vessel Adjustments

Constricting blood vessels in cold environments (becoming narrower)

Helps conserve heat ensuring vital organs recieve oxygen and nutrients

Heart adaptations

Heart Rate

Ability to increase and decrease to distribute heat efficiently

Digestive system
Energy Storage

Fat reserves

The increased food intake helps store fat reserves. This stored fat serves as a important energy source during periods when food is scarce like winter.

Increased food intake in prep for winter

During summer and early fall Arctic foxes might increase their food intake.

Reduced activity in extreme cold

During harsh winter conditions, the foxes might reduce their activity to concerve their energy.

Metabolically

Their body adapts to extract as much energy as possible from the limited food resources available in the Arctic

Anatomy

Rectum and Anus

Rectum stores feces until they are ready to be eliminated through the anus

Cecum

A pouch-like structure where fermentation of plant material occurs, helping in the digestion of some components of the arctic foxes diet

Large intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming whats left of the food into feces

Pancreas and Liver

Produces digestive enzymes and bile that are released into the small intestine to further break down nutrients

Small intestine

Where majority of nutrient absorption occurs. Divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Stomach

Stomach acids and enzymes help break down food, initiating the digestion process

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the stomach to the mouth. moves food from mouth to stomach using muscular contractions

Mouth and teeth

Arctic fox have sharp, pointed teeth adapted to catch prey

Arctic foxes diet
Resperatory system
Lung structure

Two lungs

Relatively Large lungs

Well developed alveoli to optimize reperatory efficiency in low temp environments

Cold adaptation in breathing

Reduced respiratory rate

Recirculation of warm air (as the fox breathes in cold air, the nasal passage warms it using the heat from exhaled air)

Nasal adaptations (nasal passage helps warming and humidifying cold, dry air)

Biodiversity

Threats to biodiversity
Habitat loss

Infrastucture devlopment

Pipelines

Roads

Human settlement

human wildlife conflicts

Resource Extraction

Mining

Oil drilling

Contaminants

Tourism

human preasance causing physical and psychological har, to arctic foxes

Farming

Both human and arctic foxes relying on livestock for food

Genetic Diversity
Allele Frequencies

fur colour alleles

Founder effects and genetic drift

Arctic fox's migrating to new regions

Creating new gene pool based on the new environment

Arctic fox trait frequeny changes (genetic drift)

example: A small group of Arctic Fox's live together. Just by luck a few of them have more offspring with a specific fur colour. That colour will become more common overtime.

Subspecies
European Arctic fox
Bering sea arctic fox
Preditors
Large birds
Red foxes
Humans
Prey
Marine life
Insects
Carrion
Birds and eggs
Small mammals
Ecosystems
Arctic Tundra
Costal Areas
Alpine Tundra
Islands in the arctic ocean
Adaptation
Environmental

Bushy tail used as a blanket for their body

Thick white fur that blends in the snow

Round compact body with short muzzle, ears and legs to minimize heat loss

Predatory

Furry feet that prevent slipping on ice

Camouflage

Plants

Mosses
Lichens
Low shrubs