chapter+4

Question 1: due to Paraguay’s variety of ecosystems and its diverse topography, the biodiversity of life within the country is amazingly high and very provides numerous species of animals, birds, marine life, and plants within its’ forests, rivers, and mountains. There is not just one specific “hotspot” for biodiversity for this country, but rather the country is a diverse hotspot in itself. Question 2: discovered in 1797 by an explorer named Georges Cuvier, Megatherium, is believed to be an ancient ancestor of the modern day sloth of South American rainforests. Similar to sloths, Megatherium had clawed digits and lacked incisor teeth. Coupled with similar skeletal structure, Cuvier made the safe assumption that Megatherium was the long lost cousin of sloths. Question 3: due to the amount of rainforest covering portions of Paraguay, many species have had to adapt to high amounts of water intake, and most land animals have had to develop the ability to swim in order to survive the monsoon seasons that could leave the forests with almost 6 feet of standing water. Without the ability to survive in watery conditions as if they were dry conditions, many species would die off and could very well have become extinct. Question 4: [] there are over 90 known endangered in the Paraguay area, anyone of which could become extinct in the very near future if the people of Paraguay or the world for that respect do not cease their intrusion on the rainforest and the continuation of the degradation of these creature’s natural habitats. Question 5: Indicator species: there has been a drastic decrease in the amphibian population the Paraguay area which has been brought on by a damaging fungus known as // chytrid fungus, //which spreads onto frog’s skin blocking up their airways and inhibiting their ability to drink. []                Keystone Species: the tapir is a pig-like mammal of South America which as a key component in the dispersal of seeds along with nutrient recycling in much of the rugged forests and mountains of South America.