Although many of our labs take place at Baruch, we are focused on the outside world! The New York metropolitan region offers the chance to observe many different natural habitats, ranging from valleys, streams, and rivers to the Atlantic Oceans. In addition, you can observe organisms and learn about environments from around the world (and across millennia) through local collections (zoos, museum, etc.). During the semester you will take advantage of these local resources to visit some local sites. These may include botanical gardens, zoos, and/or museums. These visits will enhance the class by extending ideas we have already introduced in lab and introducing some new ones.
These instructions focus on a trip to the Bronx Zoo.
Students will explore concepts including evolution, adaptations, and species interactions by visiting a zoo.
Students should be able to
Relate animal traits to the biomes in which they are found and long-term evolutionary processes
Explain how natural selection may lead to observed animal traits
Discuss the conservation implications of zoos
The Bronx Zoo, one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world, is located in Bronx Park and easily reached by public transportation. Tickets and reservations must be made in advance (not at the zoo). General admission (no access to special areas) is generally $26.95, but you don’t have to pay that! Admission is free Wednesday.
IS THERE A DAY WHEN ADMISSION IS FREE?
Limited admission is free all day on Wednesdays at the Bronx Zoo. ADVANCE TIMED TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. The Wednesday Ticket Store will open on Monday at 5:00pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. DO NOT come to the zoo without a reserved ticket.
Students also get free admission any time
DOES THE ZOO OFFER STUDENT DISCOUNTS?
We offer a complementary Limited Admission to NYC undergraduate college student. Advance ticket reservation required. Please use promo code NYCCOLLEGE during checkout. Eligible students must either be: a) attending a NYC college (must show a valid college ID from an institution within the 5 boroughs of New York City; b) NYC resident, attending non-NYC college (must show valid college ID and proof of NYC residency).
Discount code must be entered at the time of checkout. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Not applicable towards prior purchases.
This assignment is focused on allowing you to see living animals from various parts of the world, relate their adaptations to the environments they live in, and consider how they interact with humans. We’ll be exploring some of these ideas in other labs where we can manipulate factors, but this visit lets you see these processes in action.
Before you go, watch the AMNH video on lemur diversity and Madagascar and review biomes in Biology 44.3.
Use the following notes to guide you on your visit. Answer the associated questions in a short report.
Visit the Madagascar Exhibit. Madagascar is a large island located off the east coast of Africa. It has been separated from the main continent for a very long time (think around 50 million years). As a result, it, like many islands, harbors unique species that have expanded into “niches” often occupied by other species. As you walk through the exhibit, focus on the signs about lemurs and fossas and answer the following questions/complete the following tasks.
State the common and scientific name of your favorite (Latin name, Genus species) species and include a picture of yourself at the exhibit. REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT YOUR VISIT
Why was it your favorite?
Why are there so many lemur species on Madagascar? Referring to the article mentioned above and our course, your answer should include a discussion of adaptive radiation and evolution.
What niche does the fossa fulfill on the island? What does it look like (name a species it reminds you of)? Is this an example of convergent evolution? Explain.
Another example of convergent evolution can be found in the Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary. In the aviary, find the puffins and penguins.
Take a picture of yourself in front of each exhibit. REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT YOUR VISIT
Where are these organisms found (location and biome)?
Why are they an example of convergent evolution (name at least three features they have in common).
Adaptive radiation is a special form of species diversifying over time. We can consider this on a global scale by looking at the big cats. The zoo has snow leopards, tigers, and lions. Find these 3 exhibits.
Take a picture of yourself in front of each exhibit. REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT YOUR VISIT
Provide the common and scientific names (Latin name, Genus species) for each species.
Where are these organisms found (location and biome)?
What makes you think these organisms are related? List three adaptations they share.
How many of these adaptations did you see in the fossa?
For each big cat species, list two unique adaptations the species has developed. What environmental pressure might have led to these adaptations?
Proponents of zoos say that educating the public about wildlife and conservation can help species and communities in the wild, since people will care about wild places and species if they see them and learn about them. They also cite the works zoo do in aiding conservation efforts. A great example of this is the Pere David Deer. Visit their exhibit (near Tiger Mountain).
Take a picture of yourself in front of the exhibit. REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT YOUR VISIT.
Provide the common and scientific names (Latin name, Genus species) for the species.
What was the Bronx Zoo’s role in the protecting this species? What country did the zoo work with in restoring the species?
Choose 2 other species of animals that you find at the Bronx Zoo and answer the following questions/complete the following tasks regarding each.
Provide the common and scientific names (Latin name, Genus species) for each species and explain why you chose each.
Take a picture of yourself in front of each exhibit you choose. REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PHOTOS TO DOCUMENT YOUR VISIT
Discuss the animals living conditions/arrangements in the zoo. Describe the exhibit’s size and the terrain that the zoo has provided for them. Relate this to the biome where each animal is found.
Those who criticize zoos say that keeping large and intelligent animals that roam huge territories such as lions, bears, elephants, etc. in confined places is cruel. Do you think the exhibit size is adequate for these species?
From the info at the exhibit and additional research you conduct (document citations!), describe the life history and ecological niche of each species.
What do they eat, and what is their role in the environment.
How do they reproduce (i.e., what mating system do they use)?
Describe the conservation status of these species (usually indicated on zoo signs). Are they common or rare? Are they in decline? Do humans value them culturally or economically (this could be positively or negatively)? Why do you think the zoo chose to have exhibits of these species (as opposed to some other species)?
What do you think of Bronx Zoo and zoos in general? Are they worth having? Did you enjoy your visit, and would you come back again?