ADAPTATION RESEARCH Leah Zheng ♞| Structural ❆| Physiological ➶| Behavioural

RED KANGAROO
♞ Large, rigid tail Assists in balance and pushing off the
ground when leaping
♞ 4 pairs of chewing teeth Front teeth fall out when they become worn
out from eating, which is then replaced by
the back teeth
♞➶ Strong hind legs A long Achilles tendon allows for more
efficient and faster mobility, as well as
balance. For defence, they can stamp their
feet to warn predators.
♞❆ Red fur Reflects 30% of light off the body, keeping it
cool
❆➶ Embryonic diapause Putting the development of an embryo on
hiatus gives the offspring a higher chance of
survival after conditions improve
❆ Flexible diaphragm Automatic renewal of oxygen
♞❆➶ Hopping More efficient compared to running on 4
limbs, can travel long distances in a small
amount of time, making escape easier. Legs
are built for this.
♞❆ Rotating ears Sensitive rotatable ears allows the more
accurate detection and location of
predators
♞❆ Pouch Pouches protect the kangaroo’s young from
the dangerous external environment
❆ Sweating Sweating only when moving prevents the
excessive loss of water
❆ Body water composition Being made up of 70% water keeps them
more hydrated
♞ Five digits Allows easier grabbing of... stuff
❆➶ Saliva Kangaroos lick themselves to cool down.
The saliva evaporates with the heat.
➶❆ Water retention Reabsorption and recycling of water in the
intestines makes overall water
consumption efficient. They eat plants with
high water content.
➶ Activity during the day Being active during cooler periods of the
day allows the kangaroo to maintain heat
➶ Fighting for dominance Males will fight with other males for a
female cos survival of the fittest
➶ Herds Grazing in groups keeps them more safe.

100% professionally and properly referenced sources

▶ https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/how-do-kangaroos-survive-the-aussie-outback.aspx
▶ https://study.com/academy/lesson/kangaroo-adaptations-lesson-for-kids.html
▶ http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/michaels_kell/Nutrition%20&%20Adaptation.htm
▶ https://eleanorgadaptionsassignment.weebly.com/red-kangaroo.html
▶ https://infograph.venngage.com/p/111751/red-kangaroo-adaptations-tess-kane
▶ https://alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/connect-with-nature/animals/animals/red-kangaroo

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ADAPTATION RESEARCH Leah Zheng ♞| Structural ❆| Physiological ➶| Behavioural

SPINIFEX HOPPING MOUSE

➶❆ Flexible breeding They can breed at any time of the year,
gestation period lasts about 40 days with
offspring coming in litters of 3-6
♞❆ Sexual maturity Sexual maturity is reached within 3 months
➶ Burrowing Deep burrowing systems and living in
groups makes them less prone to
predators
➶ Nocturnal Being active during the night allows the
mouse to maintain heat
♞❆ Large Ears Blood flows to large, thin ears and returns
to the body at a cooler temperature
➶❆ Water retention Water is absorbed efficiently by kidneys
making it unnecessary to drink at all. They
keep hydrated through their diet of seeds,
berries, insects, fungi, etc
➶❆ Lightweight Allows for faster mobility
♞ Long legs Allows for faster mobility, quicker and
sharper movements,
➶ Nesting Nesting in groups in the winter keeps them
warm

WATER HOLDING DESERT FROG

➶ Repopulation Rapid development and deposition of
offspring (tadpoles) lets the species
repopulate quickly
♞❆ Skin pockets Skin pockets absorb as much water as
possible during rain.
➶❆ Burrowing Burrowing under sand in burrows in a
secreted mucus membrane keeps
themselves hydrated
➶♞ Water reutilisation Bringing stored water from its bladder back
to the mouth to re-drink it prevents the frog
from getting thirsty
➶❆ Aestivation Sleeping for long periods of time (similar to
hibernation preserves body heat, energy,
and moisture, until conditions are
survivable again
♞❆ Size difference Females are larger than males to prevent
getting injured when mating (lmfao)
➶♞ Spade-like feet Helps the frog dig and burrow under soil

Some more 100% professionally referenced sources

▶ https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/hopping-mice
▶ https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Notomys_alexis/
▶ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinifex_hopping_mouse
▶ https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/wildlife-in-nt/spinifex-hopping-mouse
▶ http://ipfactly.com/water-holding-frogs/
▶ http://planet.uwc.ac.za/nisl/biodiversity/loe/page_111.htm

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ADAPTATION RESEARCH Leah Zheng ♞| Structural ❆| Physiological ➶| Behavioural

Questions

1. Describe the Darwin’s voyage and its contribution to his Theory of Evolution through
Natural Selection

At age 22 in 1831, Charles Darwin spent 5 years abroad the HMS Beagle and
documented up to 1500 species in notebooks and ledgers with information that he
picked up. The HMS Beagle took him on a voyage to various places from England such
as Africa, Brazil, Argentina, South America and the Galapagos Islands, then returning
through Australia, Mauritius and South Africa. While visiting Brazil, he experienced a
rainforest environment and noted the biotic and abiotic differences that were present
between distinct areas. For instance, one side of the island had heavy rainfall and
intense winds while the other was more delicate and was surrounded by mountains.
He soon utilised this knowledge in his research on natural selection at the Galapagos
Islands, where he noticed the differences in finches at location specific regions. Using
this, he made the conclusion that they all had a common ancestor - the ground finch.
These travels allowed Darwin to construct his Theory of Evolution through natural
selection.

2. Darwin also noted some interesting observations about Australia’s flora and fauna.
Describe these observations.

While at Australia, Darwin noted that the fauna and flora was distinctly unlike in
different areas. He also noted that some of these animals looked vastly different but
could survive in the same environment. Something that fascinated Darwin the most
was the platypus – it looked strange and peculiar and was often considered a hoax. The
Australian Aborigines were also fascinating to Darwin – they looked similar yet
unalike. These observations played a major role of evidence in his Theory of Evolution.

3. You studied one native Australia flora and fauna. Explain how they have survived the harsh
Australian climate.

The Red Kangaroo and Bottlebrush are both examples of Australia flora and fauna that
are able to survive harsh conditions in Australia through adaptations - structural,
physiological and behavioural changes which occur over time through natural
selection to help in the overall survival of a species. The Red Kangaroo is able to keep
hydrated in the hot Australian climate through heat management adaptations such as
its light reflecting fur and staying hydrated through consumption of water-rich fauna
and being active during cooler periods of the day. The Bottlebrush depends on the
efficiency of pollination to survive. To maximise this, they possess generous amounts
of bright flowers and nectar that attract birds and insects. Sticky pollen clings to their
limbs which then come in contact with other Bottlebrushes, pollenating and thus
allowing the flower to reproduce.

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ADAPTATION RESEARCH Leah Zheng ♞| Structural ❆| Physiological ➶| Behavioural

4. Outline the main steps involved with Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

1) There is variation within a population

2) A selective pressure is introduced
3) Individuals with favourable characteristics survive
4) These survivors repopulate and pass their traits to their offspring
5) Over time, the variations with the favourable characteristics dominates the
population

And some more sources

▶ http://theconversation.com/charles-darwins-evolutionary-revelation-in-australia-52282
▶ https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/history/darwins-voyages.aspx
▶ http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/darwin-charles-robert-1957
▶ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/australia-put-evolution-darwins-mind-180953651/?page=2