2016 Wisconsin Envirothon Wildlife Exam KEY

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2016 Wisconsin Envirothon Wildlife Exam KEY 1. Examine the specimens on the table. You may touch them, but do not physically move them. (2pts each, 6pts total) A.

1 2016 Wisconsin Envirothon Wildlife Exam KEY 1. Examine the specimens on the table. You may touch them, but do not physically move them. (2pts each, 6pts total) A. A. Common Name: _ Eastern gray squirrel Scientific Name: _ Sciurus carolinensis B. Common Name: Short-tailed weasel Scientific Name: Mustela erminea C. Common Name: Red Fox Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes 2. What does delayed implantation refer to as a reproductive strategy? (2pts) Give an example of a species that uses this strategy. (1pt, 3pts total) _ Delayed implantation - a reproductive process where after copulation, the egg is quickly fertilized, develops to the blastocyst stage, and then ceases development for weeks or months; afterward, growth resumes, the embryo attaches to (implants in) the uterine wall, and development continues until birth. Examples of species: weasels, bear 3. Which of these skulls is a predator species? Which of these is a prey species? Provide one reason for each decision. Please be gentle if handling the skulls. (1pt each, 3pts total) A. _Predator (owl) forward facing eyes, raptor beak B. _Prey (vole) eye on side of head, no canines, lots of molars, incisors for cutting C. _Predator (badger) forward facing eyes, canines present, carnassial/premolars present, few molars 4. Skull Identification. Specific species names not required. Please be gentle if handling the skulls. (1pt each, 3pts total) A. Common Name: _Shrew B. Common Name: Bat D. Common Name: Turtle /15pts Running Total: 15pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 1 of 9

2 5. Using the words in the word bank at right, match the type of camouflage each example represents, and describe how it helps the animal. (2pts each, 10pts total) Word bank: Crypsis, Mimicry, Disruptive, Countershading, Aposematism A. Type: _ Aposematism Warning coloration in which conspicuous markings on an animal serve to discourage potential predators; usually the animal is poisonous or unpalatable. B. Type: Crypsis Coloration that makes animals hard to distinguish against a background and/or to help break up body outline by blending in to the background, mainly to reduce predation. Can also refer to animals pretending to be something else, like a twig or leaf. C. Type: Disruptive A color pattern thought to disrupt the perceived contour of the body, or parts of the body, thereby making the animal more difficult to see (spots, stripes, etc.) D. Type: Mimicry Mimicking of brightly-colored or distinctively-patterned unpalatable/distasteful species by other species. Can also refer to animals pretending to be something else, like a twig or leaf. E. Type: Countershading The use of different colors on upper and lower surfaces in graduating tones from a light belly to a darker back. 6. Explain two general differences between butterflies and moths, both in the order Lepidoptera. (2pts) Butterflies are daytime/diurnal & most moths are nocturnal/nighttime Butterfly bodies are generally smooth with clubbed antennae, whereas moths are fuzzy-bodied with feathery antennae Butterflies create a chrysalis, a pupa without an outside covering; moths create a cocoon, a pupa surrounded by a silken covering At rest, butterflies hold wings over the back; moths hold wings flat Butterflies are usually more brightly-colored than moths /12pts Running Total: 27pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 2 of 9

3 7. What type of habitat does the Karner blue butterfly require for survival, and why is the species currently listed as endangered? (2pts) _ Required habitat Caterpillars feed only on the leaves of the wild lupine plant, and adults feed on the nectar of flowering plants. This severely restricts where they can survive, but examples are openings in oak & pine savannas, pine barrens, & remnant prairies with lupine. Habitat throughout the range of the Karner blue butterfly has been lost as a result of land development and lack of natural disturbance, such as wildfire and grazing by large mammals. Such disturbance helps maintain the butterfly's habitat by setting back encroaching forests, encouraging lupine and flowering plant growth. Another reason is collection - The Karner blue butterfly's rarity and beauty make it a desirable addition to butterfly collections. Because butterfly numbers are so low, the collection of even a few individuals could harm the butterfly population. Collection is illegal without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 8. Wildlife Vocabulary: Match the wildlife term with its correct definition. (1pt each, 7pts total) Viviparous Crepuscular Ovoviviparous Fossorial Frenulum Aestivation Subnivean Adapted for burrowing or digging A structure in moths that hold the fore- and hindwings together Layer under the snow but just above the ground Dormancy during periods of hot and/or dry conditions Young develop inside the body but nurtured by a yolk sac, not placenta Bearing live young that were nourished through a placenta Being active at twilight/dusk 9. Which of these pictures represents altricial young and which represents precocial young? (1pt each, 2pts total) A. Precocial baby moose B. Altricial baby squirrel Give two differences between these two types of young as it applies to mammals (2pts each, 4pts total). Altricial poorly developed/helpless at birth, usually eyes & ears closed; often naked (lacking hair/fur); require large amounts of parental care; can t walk/move much on own; can t maintain body temperature; can t excrete without assistance Precocial well-developed at birth; fully furred; born with eyes & ears open; can stand/walk/swim on own; can maintain own body temperature, can excrete without assistance /15pts Running Total: 42pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 3 of 9

4 What is it? Look at each sample and identify it. Be specific. (1pt each, 4pts total) 10. Pronghorn antelope horn 11. Northern short-tailed shrew 12. Beaver foot (hind foot) 13. Moose scat/poop/droppings 14. In the microscope, you will see two specimens of the same creature. It s a member of the Class Arachnida, and is related to spiders, ticks, and mites. They are tiny, 2 to 8 millimeters in length, with four pairs of legs and one pair of relatively large pedipalps (pincer-like claws). Most people do not notice or recognize them, which is primarily due to their secretive nature and small size. Frequently we discover them in bathroom sinks and tubs; however, they are neither dangerous nor destructive. They eat many small arthropods, including caterpillars, flies, ants, beetle larvae, and booklice. You may move the specimen card on the microscope stage in order to see both specimens, but please don t remove the card from the stage. What is this animal? Pseudoscorpion (2pts) 15. Look at these egg specimens. Are these from a reptile or an amphibian, and why? (2pts) These are reptile eggs. Reptiles lay shelled eggs, while amphibian eggs are not shelled. Reptiles also lay eggs on land, whereas most amphibians lay eggs in the water. 16. Give two differences between horns and antlers. (2pts) TRUE HORNS ANTLERS Cow family (Bovidae) Deer family (Cervidae) deer, moose, elk Living, bony extensions of the skull, Also bony skull extensions, but no surrounding sheath surrounded by a non-living keratinized sheath_ Often branched Never branched Only males have them (except caribou reindeer ) Found in both males & females, depending on Shed annually after the rut species (ex. bison) Permanent on animal (no shed) 17. In this picture, what is the structure moving across the eyeball called, and what is its purpose? (3pts) _ A nictitating membrane is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility. For example, it protects the eye from struggling prey, weather, grit, debris, and allows protection underwater for some animals. Fully developed nictitating membranes are found in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, but are rare in_ primates. Unlike the upper and lower eyelids, the nictitating membrane moves horizontally across the eyeball. /13pts Running Total: 55pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 4 of 9

5 18. Note the large, open web-like structures just forward of the eyes along either side of the nasal cavity on this skull. (1pt each, 3pts total) A. What are these structures called? Called fenestra or fenestrations B. What animal does this skull belong to? Rabbit or Hare C. Which Order does the animal belong to? Order Lagomorpha 19. Explain the difference between endangered and threatened species (2pts) Wisconsin Endangered Species: Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range Wisconsin Threatened Species: Any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range 20. Use the replicas, identification key, and ruler to identify these species of Wisconsin salamanders. (1pt each, 6pts total) A. Blue spotted B. Mudpuppy C. 4-toed salamander D. Spotted salamander E. Red-backed salamander F. Central Newt /11pts Running Total: 66pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 5 of 9

6 1 2 3 Team Code: 21. Use words from the word bank to label the structures on the carnivore skull at right. (1pt each, 11pts total) Word bank: Canine, Sagittal Crest, Molar, Maxilla, Mandible, Zygomatic Aarch, Premolar, Auditory Bulla, Condyle, Incisor, Orbit 1. _Maxilla 7. Mandible _Orbit 8. Premolar Zygomatic arch 9. Molar 4. Sagittal crest 10. Canine 5. _Auditory bulla 11. Incisor 6. Condyle 22. Look at the photos. List whether these animals are threatened (T) or endangered (E). (1pt each, 4pts total) A. Northern Cricket Frog E B. Upland Sandpiper T C. Frosted Elfin T D. Black Redhorse E 23. Look at this picture of a kingfisher burrow along a county forest road near a river. There were four total dead young kingfishers lying in the road. By the clues in the picture, what do you think happened? (1pt) A predator enlarged the burrow entrance and dragged the babies out to eat them. 24. What type of feeding adaptation allows cardinals to stay in Wisconsin during the wintertime? (1pt) Has a beak that allows it to eat seeds in the wintertime. /17pts Running Total: 83pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 6 of 9

7 25. Loons have four basic calls, though there are some variations. All calls are given by both males and females, except the yodel, a territorial call, that can only be produced by males. Listen to the CD, starting at track #1. Name the two loon calls (first 2 CD tracks) and then identify the other animal sounds on tracks #3- #6. (1pt each, 6pts total) Track #1 - The Wail resembles a wolf howl. Individual loons use this call to locate other loons. If you listen closely, you will hear a wailing loon saying, Where are you? Indeed, that s what they are asking. Track #2 - The Tremolo sounds like a quavering laugh. It is typically used when loons are disturbed. A variation of this call is the flight call. It is usually given over lakes and is a loon s way of requesting clearance for landing. If a loon on the lake responds with a yodel, the one in the air usually flies on to the next lake. Track #3 This is an omnivorous mammal that ranges throughout North America, and is the only representative of the family Procyonidae in Wisconsin. Raccoon Track #4 This insect is well-known for producing a loud buzzing sound in the treetops during summertime. Cicada Track #5 This bird exclusively feeds on fish, and is also known as the fish hawk. It is found worldwide. Osprey Track #6 One of Wisconsin s most common nocturnal birds, it remains year-round and is generally found in dense woodlands often near waterways. Its name comes from the vertical streaking pattern of feathers on its chest. Barred Owl /6pts Running Total: 89pts 4/15/2016 FINAL VERSION Page 7 of 9

8 26. Tracking is an important skill for wildlife biologists, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. Here you see several examples of Wisconsin wildlife tracks & scat replicas. Using the species in the word bank, identify the track and scat replica of each. Please do not move/pickup scat replicas. (1pt each, 7pts total) A. Porcupine B. Bobcat Word bank: Turkey, Chipmunk, Toad, Raccoon, Bobcat, Coyote, Porcupine C. Toad D. Turkey E. Chipmunk F. Raccoon G. Coyote 27. Use words from the word bank to label the structures on the bird. (1pt each, 4pts total) Word bank: Primaries, Flank, Crown, Nape, Wingbars, Cheek, Crest, Eye ring A B A. Crest B. Nape C. Wingbars D. Primaries D C /11pts Running Total: 100pts 4/16/2015 FINAL VERSION Page 8 of 9

9 TIE BREAKER What is the smallest carnivore species in North America? It s a member of the Order Carnivora, and we have it here in Wisconsin (amazingly, it s also the smallest carnivore in the world!). (3pts) 1. Common name Least weasel 2. Scientific name Mustela nivalis 3. What Family does it belong to? _Mustelidae /3TB 4/16/2015 FINAL VERSION Page 9 of 9

2016 Wisconsin Envirothon Wildlife Exam

2016 Wisconsin Envirothon Wildlife Exam 1. Examine the specimens on the table. You may touch them, but do not physically move them. (2pts each, 6pts total) A. Common Name: Scientific Name: B. Common Name: