1) Homologous trait is any characteristic of organisms that is derived from a common ancestor. Homology also means that there are two species that have related parts that do similar things, but that are not exactly the same. The two different species that possess the homologous trait are true seals and sea lions. They both share the homologous trait of a flipper. The two largest marine mammals live together in the sea water.
2) The difference between Sea Lions and Seals:
- The sea lion flipper is long, hairless and has short claws, while true seals front flipper is short, covered in fur and has long claws.
- Seals uses back flippers for power when swimming and sea lions uses front flippers for power when swimming.
- Seals eat krill, fish, lobster, birds, while sea lions eat squid, octopus, birds and fish.
3) The common ancestor of sea lions and seals is the Enaliarctos. The Enaliarctos had a short tail and developed limbs with webbed feet. They lived 24-22 millions years ago. Enaliarctos is said to have both it’s hind and front flippers for swimming. From the history, it shows that the sea lions lost the ability to swim with their hind flippers and seals lost the ability to swim with their front flippers.
4) Sea Lions Seals
Answer (2)
1) The two different species that possess the analogous trait are butterfly wings and bat wings. They both have structural similarities because both butterfly and bat evolved for the same task and flight.
2) The analogous trait of butterfly and bat have a lot of things in common such as, they have equal number of caterpillar species, and they both are functionally same (both fly). Species may also have similar traits even though they are not related to each other. This usually results because the species live in similar environments and fill similar ecological roles. The similarity between convergent evolution affected species is called Homoplasy.
3) Yes, both butterfly wings and bat wings can have the common ancestor to possessed this analogous trait. We know that these traits are analogous because their have different structures that is why they are not genetic, they are an analogous.
4) Butterfly Wings Bat Wings
Seals and sea lions, almost even look the same in characteristics physically. I'm from Monterrey Bay though so I can tell the difference, but sometimes people get them confused. Personally I think the seals are cuter than sea lions. But that is true in the differences, some spend more time in the water, and the others on land, therefore over time they had a genetic mutation to make their fins and legs stronger. Good points it was interesting reading about it all. Bats and butterflies, are also crazy to think about,, considering the fact that people are scared of bats and love beautiful butterflies!
ReplyDeleteIn general, very good homologous pairing. Basic information is correct, but I suggest the primary difference is really just which set of limbs are dominant in or out of the water. Sea lions use both sets of limbs for swimming and primarily the front for out of the water with strength provided in the back. Seals primarily use the back limbs for swimming with the front for steering. They have less maneuverability than sea lions and certainly less mobility on land. That I would agree with.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused by some of the comparisons between your analogous species. What did you mean about both having the same number of caterpillar species? Bats are mammals and don't go through a caterpillar stage. Both of these organisms have found similar strategies for locomotion, escaping predation and finding food and mates by harnessing the air through their wing structures. Since we know that bats developed wings as a derived structure from it's mammalian land-moving ancestor, those wings evolved independently from the common ancestor (hundreds of millions of years ago). That is how we know these are analogous... not because they are different but because we understand how and when they evolved.
I find it interesting that seals use their back flippers while sea lions use their front. I did not know this information. I've always loved watching the seals when they slide all over the land, so entertaining! Also, I agree with Lindsey on how people are so afraid of bats but not butterflies.
ReplyDeleteHi Yashika!
ReplyDeleteI like the animals that you used for your homologous comparisons. It was fun and interesting to read. I never would have thought of comparing seals and sea lions, frankly I cannot even tell the difference between the two. I think that the only drawback to your analogous species comparison was kind of difficult to comprehend. Other than that, great job. I look forward to reading more posts on your blog!