Abstract

Ichthyosaurs and sharks are the two most common species of vertebrates living in the water. The vertebrates that are well-known in contemporary society, fish forms the largest and one of the most successful groups on the Earth. Ichthyosaurus and sharks are among the well-known species that have been identified in society. The paper’s concern will start by looking at how the species became different, mainly concerning the issue of evolution. Many periods of evolution will be looked at and how most of the scientists classify this. The other concern will be looking at the methods that were used in isolating the species. They are similar; hence ecological isolation will play a crucial role in studying them fully. The other concern will be looking at how the above species are adapted to living in their habitats. Lastly, the similarities and differences between the two species will be looked at in detail. The paper is mainly looking at the species separation through keen observation.

Q1

The vertebrates that are well-known in contemporary society, fish forms the largest and one of the most successful groups on the Earth. Ichthyosaurus and sharks are among the well-known species that have been identified in society. These two forms of species became different as a result of evolution. It is well known that evolution has been the major cause of differences among the different species where they adapted to their similar or different environments with some specifications for a long period.

Many scientists have based these differences on the period of evolution. They have ascertained that Ichthyosaurs through evolution in different periods such as Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous brought their attention. Most of them argue that Ichthyosaurs were among the largest groups of numerous replies during the Triassic and Jurassic and that some of them died around 90 million years ago. Ichthyosaurs at first exactly looked like the sharks and dolphins despite them coming from different groups of species. At this first time, most of the traits like possessing streamlined bodies, having fins among other body structures were similar to the family of water mammals and fish. The adaptation to the environment and the origin of the two species made them appear different. But majorly, what brought in the differences that we can physically observe in the modern days is evolution.

Q2

The species that were involved in this particular study were similar; hence isolating them was the only option that would enable them to study them well. Therefore, the ecological isolation mechanism was applied inefficiently, studying the two species. They were put into two different water sources, where a keen study was carried out. They were not in the same place to reduce any possible forms of mating or to interact, where some of the species may be killed by others and or to reduce the chances of confusion due to the closer similarities.

Q3

The species were separated for a period of 3 weeks. This was enough time that allowed for the convenient study of the species, based both on their differences and similarities, at the same time considering the adaptation that they all had towards the environment. Also, this allowed for easier identification and classifications basing on their observable characteristics.

Q4

At the time the species were all separated for the purpose of the study, various adaptations were noted. The first one is that both species had fins that enabled them to move from one place to another. Basing on the fact that both of the species lived in water, they had to move from one place to another to search for food and other resources that would enable them to survive. To be able to move from one place to another, it was observed that fins were the adaptation that enabled them to move around. Another adaptation that was observed from these species is that they had teeth. The competition for food in water has been stiff, increasing the chances that they can survive, and they had teeth that can help them easily get food and crush it down. Both of the species showed that they had strong bodies, which enabled them to compete for food. The issue of food competition seemed to be a common issue among the two species; hence surviving in water bodies was basically how well they could be able to access food. Both of them were dependent on other water animals to get food; therefore, the ability to chase them greatly determined how they would survive in water.

Another adaptation that was observed among the two different species is that they both had streamlined bodies. This enabled them to easily move from one place to another in search of food. The streamlined bodies play a crucial role in the survival of the two species in water. The first role is that it enables them to move swiftly against the water waves, as observed when they are looking for food. The other role is that streamlined bodies reduce friction, enabling the species to carry out locomotion easily. The streamlined bodies have enabled them to access food with much ease, which enabled me to finish the study. The shape of the bodies turned to be one of the significant considerations, especially in the body of an animal living in the water bodies. They have to adapt to the environment so that they can get food based on the fact that other small animals living in the same water bodies move so fast. Lastly, it was noticed that the two species had slippery bodies that made them easily survive in water. This helps them to avoid being caught physically by external movements that have intentions of hurting them.

Q5

Looking at the above adaptations, it can be easily revealed that they are adapted for aquatic environments. Some various similarities and differences were noted from such species. Starting with similarities, it is that both of them have the same environmental niches and similar shapes. Both the Ichthyosaurs and the shark have the same bodies, which are difficult to differentiate. Another similarity observed is that although the Ichthyosaurs were well adapted to sea life, they were characterized by coming to the land to breathe. It implies that both had such characteristics as it was well observed that they were all caught coming on the surface of the water during different times. Another similarity is that they had fins meaning that they both lived in water. They would hardly live on the land because the adaptation they had well suited the life in the aquatic environment.

Another similarity that comes out in this category is all about the process of evolution, where Ichthyosaurs sharks are believed to undergo the process of convergent evolution. This means that different species of animals are characterized by having the same environmental niches.

On the other hand, various differences were observed within the two species. The first and most obvious difference is that the shark came from the fish family while Ichthyosaurs was a reptile. This means that they never came from the same class despite them living on water and sharing a lot of similarities together. Another observed difference between the two species is that the shark was more adapted to marine life than the Ichthyosaurs. This was observed through the way they all hunted for food, including their total numbers. It means that Ichthyosaurs were declining basing on their numbers, while the sharks were in larger numbers. The competition rate of sharks for food was a bit higher, making them dominant species in water compared to Ichthyosaurs.