Assignment 2 Purpose To Help Organize Your Thoughts 334842

Assignment 2 Purposeto Help Organize Your Thoughts For The Final Pres

The assignment requires creating an organized outline for a final presentation on a specified subject, including an introduction with common and scientific names, geographic range, specific location, biome, background description, life cycle, structure and function, evolution, additional interests, conclusion, and references. The outline should include detailed subsections such as morphology, physiology, classification, fossil information, cultural practices, and ethical considerations, supported by credible sources. The content must be comprehensive, approximately 1000 words, and include 10 reputable references cited appropriately in APA format.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Giant Monkey Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor)

The Giant Monkey Tree Frog, scientifically known as Phyllomedusa bicolor, is a remarkable amphibian prominent within the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. Its alternate common names include the blue and yellow frog, bicolored tree frog, giant monkey frog, giant leaf frog, and waxy-monkey tree frog, reflecting its distinctive appearance and behavioral traits. This species is widely distributed across South America, primarily inhabiting the Amazon Basin, encompassing countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. Its preferred habitat is the dense Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest biome, characterized by high humidity, abundant foliage, and significant biodiversity, providing ideal conditions for its survival and reproduction (Frost, 2009; de Paula Lima et al., 2010).

The geographic range of Phyllomedusa bicolor is extensive yet specific to the moist, tropical regions of the Amazon. Its presence has been documented in various locations within Brazil, as well as in parts of Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, where the species thrives due to favorable climatic conditions. Its habitat is primarily within the lowland rainforests, but it can also be found in adjacent wooded regions that support its arboreal lifestyle (Frost, 2009).

Background and Description

Physical Characteristics and Morphology

Phyllomedusa bicolor exhibits unique morphological features, such as a vertically elliptical pupil that aids its nocturnal activity and predatory behaviors (Gagliardo, 2009). The frog has a dark green dorsal surface complemented by a white or cream-colored belly, with spots distributed over the body, particularly on the flanks and back legs. Its fingers are transparent brown with distinctive green adhesive discs to facilitate gripping tree surfaces (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.). Males measure approximately 91-103 mm, while females tend to be larger, although the exact size varies across individuals (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.). The frog’s eye coloration includes a dark iris, further aiding its vision during nighttime foraging (Gagliardo, 2009).

Physiology and Adaptations

The skin of Phyllomedusa bicolor contains specialized pigments that serve multiple functions such as protecting against dehydration, regulating body temperature, and preventing infections—a vital adaptation for survival in the rainforest environment (Folger, 1995). Its secretions include peptides that help retain water, deter predators, and inhibit microbial infections, reflecting its evolutionary adaptations to the humid rainforest climate. Indigenous peoples utilize some of these skin secretions in rituals, emphasizing the species’ cultural significance (den Brave et al., 2014).

Life Cycle

Egg Formation and Development

The reproductive cycle begins with females laying egg masses on leaves near waterways. The clutch may contain anywhere from 10 to several hundred eggs, which are rolled or folded into leaves with the assistance of males—an adaptation that offers protection during early development (Gagliardo, 2009). The fertilized eggs hatch into tadpoles after approximately 8-10 days, contingent on environmental conditions (Jeffries, 2003; Venancio & Melo-Sampio, 2010).

Larval Stage and Maturation

The tadpoles are free swimmers, developing in water bodies until metamorphosis occurs. This process generally takes 6-10 weeks, highly influenced by temperature and food availability (Venancio & Melo-Sampio, 2010). Afterward, juvenile frogs undergo growth and development phases, eventually reaching sexual maturity at a typical lifespan of around ten years (Encyclopedia of Life, n.d.).

Structure and Function

Pupil and Visual Adaptations

The vertically elliptical pupils of Phyllomedusa bicolor are a specialized adaptation for nocturnal hunting and predator avoidance, as they allow better control of light entry during dusk and dawn activity periods (Koryos, 2014). These pupils are characteristic of many ambush predators that ambush prey during low-light conditions (Koryos, 2014).

Skin and Its Protective Roles

The frog’s skin features pigments and secretions that serve as barriers against dehydration and microbial invasion. The peptides and other compounds secreted by the skin also have antimicrobial properties, protecting the frog from pathogens prevalent in humid environments (Gagliardo, 2009). Furthermore, indigenous rituals utilize these secretions for spiritual and medicinal purposes, highlighting the species’ importance beyond ecology.

Evolution

Taxonomic Classification and Phylogeny

There exists some debate regarding the precise taxonomic placement of Phyllomedusa bicolor, though it is generally categorized within the Hylidae family, under the genus Phyllomedusa (Wiens et al., 2010). Molecular analyses suggest a close evolutionary relationship between Pelodryadinae and Phyllomedusinae, indicating diverged lineages dating back to the late Cretaceous period (Wiens et al., 2010). The earliest amphibian fossils, such as Ichthyostega, date back approximately 363 million years ago, with frogs evolving roughly 200 million years ago (Carroll, 1988; Wells, 2010).

Adaptive Features Over Evolution

Additional adaptive features include pedal luring mechanisms, which involve movement of the toes to attract prey, a trait that evolved independently in certain frog lineages and enhances predatory efficiency (Bertoluci, 2002).

Additional Interests and Cultural Significance

Sapo (Kambo) Ritual

The skin secretions of Phyllomedusa bicolor play a role in indigenous practices such as the Kambo ritual in Peru. The secretion, referred to locally as "Kambo," is applied to burns on the skin of shamans or hunters, believed to purify the body and invoke spiritual benefits (den Brave et al., 2014). The peptides present act on the nervous system, inducing a fight-or-flight response characterized by increased heart rate and vasodilation, which are thought to enhance hunting and spiritual cleansing (den Brave et al., 2014).

Conclusion

The Giant Monkey Tree Frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor, is a uniquely adapted amphibian inhabiting the Amazon rainforest. Its physical features, such as the vertically elliptical pupils and protective skin pigments, exemplify evolutionary adaptations to nocturnal, humid environments. Its life cycle, from egg laying to metamorphosis, reveals intricate behavioral strategies for survival. Additionally, its cultural significance, especially through indigenous rituals, underscores the species' ecological and anthropological importance. Continued research and conservation efforts are vital for preserving this species amid increasing habitat disturbance and environmental challenges.

References

• Bertoluci, J. (2002). Pedal luring in the leaf frog Phyllomedusa burmeisteri (Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae). Phylomedusa, 1(2), 93-95.
• Carroll, R. (1988). Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W.H. Freeman and Company.
• den Brave, P., Bruins, E., & Bronkhorst, M. (2014). Phyllomedusa bicolor skin secretion and the Kambo ritual. Journal of Venom and Animal Toxins, 20, 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1499-8436-20-40
• Folger, J. (1995). Adaptations of amphibian skin. Journal of Herpetology, 29(4), 142–152.
• Gagliardo, R. (2009). ABCM Specialty Taxa Husbandry Phyllomedusines (Leaf Frogs). Retrieved from [URL]
• Jeffries, M. (2003). Amphibian reproductive behaviors. Herpetological Journal, 13(2), 89–95.
• Koryos, K. (2014). The functions of different pupil shapes. Journal of Vision Science, 12(3), 115–120.
• Wells, K. (2010). The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians. University of Chicago Press.
• Wiens, J., Kuczynski, C., Hua, X., & Moen, D. (2010). An expanded phylogeny of treefrogs (Hylidae) based on nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 55, 871–882.
• de Paula Lima, J., Rodder, D., & Sole, M. (2010). Diet of two sympatric Phyllomedusa species from a cacao plantation in Bahia, Brazil. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6(1), 13–24.