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WILDLIFE QUESTIONS (Total of 50 points) OREGON ENVIROTHON 2016

Answers in REDPART A. Wildlife Ecology Concepts.

1). Match the term in Column A with the corresponding definition from Column B. [6 points]

Column A Column B

__F_ commensalism

__E_ animal species

__B_ biomagnification

__A_ natural selection

__D_ invasive alien

__C_ ecological niche

A. A process by which animals that possess favorable genotypic characteristics tend to have better survival and reproduction and thus pass these favorable traits to succeeding generations.

B. The increase in concentration of a pollutant detected in higher levels in the food web compared to lower levels in the food web.

C. The full range of physical, chemical and biological conditions required by a species for survival and reproduction.

D. A species causing ecological or economic damage when introduced to habitats outside its native range.

E. A group of interbreeding organisms that do not ordinarily breed with members of another group.

F. A relationship where one species benefits from another without affecting the other species.

2). Ecology Short Answer Questions . [2 points]

a) There are three levels of biodiversity, which include: ecosystem diversity and species diversity. Can you name the third?

__________Genetic diversity_______

b) How do autotrophic organisms acquire the energy needed to live.

_____they have internal structures that synthesize their own food_____

_____from inorganic substances using sunlight or chemical energ y ____

3). Fill in the two blank words to complete the following definition, using word list. [2 points].

Definition: An ecosystem is composed of a biological ______community______ that

interacts with the ________abiotic_______ environment.

Select 2 words from list: diversity community transgenic abiotic biotic population

____/ 10 points

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PART B: Emerging Wildlife Issue – White Nose Syndrome in Bats

Each Team should find a copy of a document entitled White Nose Syndrome Threatens the Survival of Hibernating Bats in North America. This document provides a short synopsis of the emerging crisis affecting hibernating bats that appears to be spreading rapidly. Don’t worry; you will NOT need to read the whole thing. Instead, skim through this document to help you answer the following questions.

4). What part of the bat's anatomy appears to be the most vulnerable point of infection ? [1 point] (circle best answer)

nose wings feet

5). Why are bat populations so slow to recover from heavy mortality ? [1 point]

low fecundity extended hibernation reduced prey availability

6). Why do you think the migrant bats have not been affected by WNS ? [2 points]

_____ they avoid spending much time in infected caves ____________________

_____ they do not reduce metabolism and body temp = less susceptible________

_____they migrate away from affected areas and remain active during winter____

7). Give a short answer for how WNS likely causes mortality of bats. [3 points]

_______create chronic skin irritation, disrupts normal behavior patterns_________

_______causes physiological stress like dehydration________________________

_______behavioral disruption and stress causes excess energy consumption____

_______consumes critical fat reserves causing starvation and death___________

__________________________________________________________________

8). Since this document was published in 2011, WNS has continued to spread to other states. If you have been watching the news, you would know that in April of 2016, WNS was detected in which one of the following states? [1 point]

Washington Oregon Idaho Alaska

____/ 8 points

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PART C: Wildlife Interaction: Oregon Doves

The Eurasian Collared-dove is now a wide-ranging non-native species that has been rapidly expanding its range across North America in the past 35 years. The Mourning Dove is a native species that completely overlaps the range of the invading collared-dove. Both of these species occur in Oregon, they are closely related, have a similar diet, and prefer similar habitats. Yet the populations of both species appear to be stable or increasing. Thus far, it appears that the invading species is occupying a niche that is not adversely affecting other species. View the pictures below and answer the questions that follow.

9). Which species is the Eurasian Collard-dove? (circle one) [1 point] A or B

10). Related Species that have overlapping ranges are called? (circle one) [1 point]

Sympatric Species Allopatric Species Homophobic Species

11). What term describes two species that have no discernable effect on each other? [1 point]

Neutralism Commensalism Mutualism

12). In Oregon, which of these two species can be hunted? [1 point] A or B or Both

____/ 4 points

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Species A

Species B

__________________________________________________________Team# _________________

PART D: Skins, Skulls, and Scats. Your test station should have Field guides and materials to help answer the following questions.

13). Examine and identify the set of 6 skins of animals that are all found in Oregon.

a) Match the Letter attached to each skin to the correct mammal species in the list below. [6 points]

_____ Virginia opossum

__B__ American badger

_____ northern river otter

_____ red fox

__E__ ermine

_____ coypu

_____ woodchuck

__F__ American mink

__C__ common gray fox

__D__ coyote

_____ long-tailed weasel

__A__ northern raccoon

_____ bobcat

_____ yellow-bellied marmot

14). Examine each of the labeled animal skulls displayed on the table. (be gentle with them).

a) Assign each of the 4 skulls to the appropriate mammal family. [4 points]

___A__ Felidae (cats)

___C__ Canidae (dogs)

___D__ Mustelidae (weasels)

______ Mephitidae (skunks)

______ Castoridae (beavers)

______ Ursidae (bears)

______ Cervidae (deer, elk)

___B__ Didelphidae (opossums)

15). Examine the small bone (labeled Bone-A). This is a middle phalange of the right toe from the left hind foot of the largest ungulate species that lives in the Oregon Coast Range.

a) Give the scientific name of this mammal species. [1 point]

___________Cervus elaphus__________________

b) Does this animal have an odd or even number of toes. (circle one) [1 point]

Odd Even

____/ 12 points

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PART E. Identifying Tracks and Sign.

Examine the large laminated Track Board lying on the ground nearby. It depicts animal tracks and sign that were found at Oregon Dunes near Florence. Use the available Field Guides and rulers to help you answer the following questions. All tracks and sign are actual size.

16). Examine the sets of animal tracks on the track board to answer the following.

A. Match Number from the track sets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the correct wildlife species in the list below. [6 points]

__5__ spotted skunk

_____ American mink

_____ American beaver

_____ coast mole

_____ common gray fox

__1__ brush rabbit

_____ American black bear

__6__ rough-skinned newt

_____ western toad

__4__ coyote

_____ bobcat

_____ northern raccoon

_____ black-tailed deer

_____ black-tailed jackrabbit

__2__ deer mouse

__3__ Roosevelt elk

B. Look at Track Set-3 and determine which of the two prints was made by the front foot? (circle the correct answer) [1 point]

3a 3b

C. Look at Track Set-4 and determine which mode of movement is displayed ? (circle the correct answer) [1 point]

Walking Trotting Bounding

____/ 8 Points

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PART F: Bird Identification. You can use the Field Guides to identify the common names of each bird species. Compare the taxidermy mounts with the bird photos on next page.

17)Bird Species A . This is an introduced, non-native species that finds suitable habitat in the rocky canyons of eastern Oregon.

a) What is its Common Name [1 point] _________chukar_______________

b) Circle one of the term below that best characterizes the trophic functional role of this bird. [1 point]

autotroph heterotroph decomposer chemotroph

18)Bird Species B . This is an uncommon breeding species along mountain streams in the western Cascades of Oregon. It is more often encountered along the Oregon coast during the winter time when small flocks can be found floating in the surf near rocky headlands.

a) Give the Common Name: [1 point] _________harlequin duck_________

b) Compare the mounted bird and photos and you notice different plumages of the same species. Circle the reason why this species has two different plumages. [1 point]

Age-related Plumage Different Sexes Geographical Variation

19)Bird Species C . This bird is a common species in western Oregon. It is a year-round resident of conifer forests in the Willamette Valley. During the winter months it can often be found in wooded parks and residential neighborhoods.

a) Give the Common Name: [1 point] __________varied thrush_________

b) This individual is a male, but its plumage is rather dull because it was found dead in the summer, just before it began replacing its feathers. The regular renewal of plumage is called what ? [1 point]

_____________molt_____________

20)Bird Species D . This bird is a native species and year-round resident species that can be found in deciduous and mixed forest habitats in western Oregon.

a) Give the Common Name: [1 point] ___________ruffed grouse_________

b) Is this a male or female: [1 point] _____________female______________

____/ 8 points

Page 6 of 8 Oregon Envirothon 2016 Wildlife Questions

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Using the Field Guides provided, identify the common name of the bird species represented in the photos below. All of these species can be found in Oregon. To aid in your identification, examine the taxidermy mounts.

Please DO NOT HANDLE the taxidermy specimens.

Page 7 of 8 Oregon Envirothon 2016 Wildlife Questions

A

B

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Bird Species (continued). Be sure to examine taxidermy specimens that correspond to pictures.

Page 8 of 8 Oregon Envirothon 2016 Wildlife Questions

D

C