Evolution of Lions and Tigers

[sciencemad]

Lions and tigers are two closely related species which evolved from a common ancestor. Explain how moving to different habitats has resulted in the formation of these two different species.

[pwagen]

You'll have to show what you've come up with so far, and people will attempt to guide you in the right direction. Nobody will do your full homework for you.

 

That said, tigers usually prefer habitats with more vegetation than lions. How would the different habitats favor the characteristics of either species?

[sciencemad]

You'll have to show what you've come up with so far, and people will attempt to guide you in the right direction. Nobody will do your full homework for you.

 

That said, tigers usually prefer habitats with more vegetation than lions. How would the different habitats favor the characteristics of either species?

i think maybe the lions were put in a colder environment so thats why they have a mane? im not sure. i dont get how being around vegetation would affect a carnivore.

[pwagen]

The manes are a different matter, most likely to do with the way lions live in packs, as opposed to tigers. Most lions live in Africa, so not really a cold place. In a pack with one male and several females (and it's only the males that have manes), can you think of any reason a big furball for a head would be beneficial? Would it help if I suggested you look at similarities between lions and peacocks?

 

As for the vegetation, think about it from the prey's point of view. It's easier to avoid carnivores if you can see them, right? Now, how would a tiger's stripes help in areas with vegetation (not necessarily trees), and how would a lion's golden color help on a sandy savanna?

[sciencemad]

The manes are a different matter, most likely to do with the way lions live in packs, as opposed to tigers. Most lions live in Africa, so not really a cold place. In a pack with one male and several females (and it's only the males that have manes), can you think of any reason a big furball for a head would be beneficial? Would it help if I suggested you look at similarities between lions and peacocks?

 

As for the vegetation, think about it from the prey's point of view. It's easier to avoid carnivores if you can see them, right? Now, how would a tiger's stripes help in areas with vegetation (not necessarily trees), and how would a lion's golden color help on a sandy savanna?

ohh to camoflauge?

i get it but one more thing, lions have big pointy teeth when the tiger still has sharp teeth but not as big. is there a reason for this?

[Fuzzwood]

Look at what they usually eat, in terms of size.

[pwagen]

ohh to camoflauge?

That's basically it! Both tigers and lions have adapted their furs to blend in to whatever habitat they've evolved for. Then it's down to the actual process of how it worked, but I'm sure you'll work that bit out. Here's a small list with other differences that may or may not be noteworthy in the context:

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Lion_vs_Tiger

 

Are you sure about the teeth? I haven't investigated it, but they look pretty similar to me:

http://www.skullsite.co.uk/Tiger/tiger_lat.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Skull_lion.png

 

Any apparent difference is probably minor enough to not worry too much about.

 

Did you think about why males would have manes?

[sciencemad]

Look at what they usually eat, in terms of size.

tigers eat almost the same things

 

That's basically it! Both tigers and lions have adapted their furs to blend in to whatever habitat they've evolved for. Then it's down to the actual process of how it worked, but I'm sure you'll work that bit out. Here's a small list with other differences that may or may not be noteworthy in the context:

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Lion_vs_Tiger

 

Are you sure about the teeth? I haven't investigated it, but they look pretty similar to me:

http://www.skullsite.co.uk/Tiger/tiger_lat.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Skull_lion.png

 

Any apparent difference is probably minor enough to not worry too much about.

 

Did you think about why males would have manes?

thank you and do males have manes because male lions usually do the hunting and the mane helps them camoflauge with stuff like hay?

[pwagen]

Not quite. It's actually the females that do the hunting in lion packs. Let's say the males have manes for social reasons. Read this section of the Wikipedia article on lions, and see if you can pick up the reason from it. Otherwise, ask away.

 

Lion mane

 

Edit: fixed link

Edited June 10, 2013 by pwagen

[sciencemad]

Not quite. It's actually the females that do the hunting in lion packs. Let's say the males have manes for social reasons. Read this section of the Wikipedia article on lions, and see if you can pick up the reason from it. Otherwise, ask away.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion#Manehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion#Mane

all it says is Highly distinctive, the male lion is easily recognised by its mane, and its face is one of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture. that doesnt really answer my question

[pwagen]

Ah, no. The link didn't link to the correct section. I fixed it now, but here's the first part of section 3.1:

The mane of the adult male lion, unique among cats, is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the species. It makes the lion appear larger, providing an excellent intimidation display; this aids the lion during confrontations with other lions and with the species' chief competitor in Africa, the spotted hyena. The presence, absence, colour, and size of the mane is associated with genetic precondition, sexual maturity, climate, and testosterone production; the rule of thumb is the darker and fuller the mane, the healthier the lion. Sexual selection of mates by lionesses favors males with the densest, darkest mane. Research in Tanzania also suggests mane length signals fighting success in male–male relationships. Darker-maned individuals may have longer reproductive lives and higher offspring survival, although they suffer in the hottest months of the year. In prides including a coalition of two or three males, it is possible that lionesses solicit mating more actively with the males who are more heavily maned.

Edited June 10, 2013 by pwagen