SSCE VCE Biology Genetic Diversity and Adaptations: Barro Colorado Island is a small

Question

Barro Colorado Island is a small island covered by tropical forest in Central America. Seventy-four different species of bats live in the forest.

Bats are nocturnal, flying mammals. To find their way around in darkness, many bat species emit high-frequency sound pulses that bounce off obstacles and prey. These pulses enable them to judge the distance to an object. This behaviour is called echolocation.

Three of the Barro Colorado Island species are described in the table below.

| Species name                | Facial appearance of bat         | Diet                                                             | Feeding location                | Echolocation signal          |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Black myotis bat            | ![Black myotis bat](image)      | insects                                                         | around trees at forest's edge and clearings | ![echolocation signal](image) |
| Mexican long-tongued bat    | ![Mexican long-tongued bat](image) | nectar and pollen flowers that open at night, for example cactus, agave | narrow gaps and small spaces     | ![echolocation signal](image) |
| Velvety free-tailed bat     | ![Velvety free-tailed bat](image) | insects                                                         | above trees, in open spaces     | ![echolocation signal](image) |

a. From the information provided, state one selection pressure operating on the bats of Barro Colorado Island.

Barro Colorado Island is a small island covered by tropical forest in Central America - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2012 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Barro Colorado Island is a small island covered by tropical forest in Central America - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2012 - Paper 1

a. From the information provided, state one selection pressure operating on the bats of Barro Colorado Island.

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