Aging Species

Methods of Growth and Repair in Living Organisms Assimilation: Assimilation:  Process of changing food substances Growth: Growth:  Process of increasing size  Need balance of nutrients to sustain growth  Nutrient deficiency may cause disease, stunted maturity, and death Repair Repair  Replacement of worn or damaged parts

Anatomy Study of the form, shape, and appearance Study of the form, shape, and appearance Anatomy helps determine how an animal survives in their environment Anatomy helps determine how an animal survives in their environment

Locomotion Locomotion refers to how animals move Locomotion refers to how animals move  Examples: swimming, walking, flying, running, etc.

Physiology Study of how the parts of an anatomy function Study of how the parts of an anatomy function  Systems include:  Skeletal, digestive, respiratory, muscular, circulatory, nervous, excretory, and reproductive

Skeletal System Consists of bones giving animal shape Consists of bones giving animal shape Protects organs Protects organs Systems can be internal or external (exoskeleton Systems can be internal or external (exoskeleton  Vertebrates are animals with backbones

Digestive System Decomposes food Decomposes food 2 major types 2 major types  Ruminants: animals has stomach that is divided into four categories  Omasum  Reticulum  Rumen  Abomasum  Monogastric  Simple stomach with one compartment

Respiratory System Animals take in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide Animals take in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide  Land species have lungs  Water species have gills

Muscular System Provides support and allows for movement Provides support and allows for movement Attached to skeletal system Attached to skeletal system

Circulatory System Moves blood through an organism Moves blood through an organism Main organ is the heart Main organ is the heart Works closely with the respiratory system Works closely with the respiratory system

Excretory System Removes waste Removes waste  Urine, feces, and perspiration

Nervous System Connects brain activity with muscles Connects brain activity with muscles Main part is spinal cord Main part is spinal cord

Reproductive System Enables an organism to produce offspring Enables an organism to produce offspring Can be sexual or asexual Can be sexual or asexual  Sexual: requires union of sperm and an egg  Asexual: cloning exact offspring

Reproduction May occur internally or externally, depends on species May occur internally or externally, depends on species Most large animals reproduce by internal mating Most large animals reproduce by internal mating  Sexual union between male and female, known as copulation  Once egg is fertilized by sperm, female carry young in their uterus (gestation)  After partruition (birth) the young receive nourishment from its mother’s milk  Birds lay eggs and incubate them  Fish, reptiles, and amphibians lay eggs that are externally fertilized

Age and Sex Structure Reflects the current status of a wildlife population Reflects the current status of a wildlife population Age and sex composition are indicative of: Age and sex composition are indicative of:  Habitat quality  Health factors  Behavioral conditions Of a population is used to estimate future declines or increases in the number of animals, and to recommend the appropriate management of the animal Of a population is used to estimate future declines or increases in the number of animals, and to recommend the appropriate management of the animal

Age Determination Embryonic Development: Embryonic Development:  Fetal measurements: use measurement devices to determine weeks/days to parturition  Candling: process by which a light source is utilized to illuminate the contents of an egg to determine fertility or maturation  Flotation:  Fresh egg will sink  A partially developed embryo will float with the blunt end uppermost  A decomposing egg will float on its side

Morphological Features Size and weight of the animals Size and weight of the animals Hind foot lengths Hind foot lengths Pelt primeness Pelt primeness Development and wear of teeth Development and wear of teeth Development and wear of feathers Development and wear of feathers Development of genitalia Development of genitalia

Sex Determination Genitalia Genitalia Secondary Sex Characteristics Secondary Sex Characteristics  Antler development  Spur development  Plumage differences  Droppings  Courtship behavior and urination postures

Whitetail Deer Sex Sex  Physical characteristics (Body Size / Snout Length)  Does  Fawn  Buck Age Age  Antler Characteristics  Ear width  Ear length  Number of Antler Points