Evolutionary history of camels

Evolution of Camels Early Ancestor-Protylopus�Intermediate Ancestor= Poebrotherium�

1. Presented by: Rabia shehzadi 17130814-012

2. Evolutionary history of camels

3. Evolution of Camels Early Ancestor- Protylopus Ancestral Camel= Protylopus Characteristics Very small-size of a rabbit Height : 2 ’ Weight: less than 50lbs. No hump Front limbs shorter than hind legs low-crowned teeth along the jaw Habitat : Forested areas in N. America Niche : Herbivore-Ate leafy vegetation primarily

4. Protylopus Scientists search on the camels in long term they also search on its ancestral genus . They search on camels from modern camels to the Protylopus ancestor camel . It is estimated that the Protylopus is the ancestor of the modern camel . It is found that the Protylopus present on the earth about 50 million years ago in North America during Eocene period . In modern day South Dakota like they founded in the dense forested area and they comprised the size of rabbit. If we want to describe its body figure and weight then it is estimate that it comprised a weight of 50 pounds with no hump on its back and the height is about less than two feet and they also have low-crowned teeth along with jaws . From the crowned structure of the teeth the food is estimated soft and leafy green vegetation

5. Ancestral Camel= Protylopus Adaptations : Front limbs shorter than hind legs- allowed them to stand on hind legs to reach leaves low-crowned teeth along the jaw- helps breakdown leafy vegetation Fur was longer and thicker than modern camels-lived in colder environment Hooves- better for navigating terrain than 3 toed ancestors Causes for Change in Population Climate changed in this location . Went from forest to more of a grassland Saw a change in allele frequency favoring this new environment (Natural Selection)

6. Intermediate Ancestor= Poebrotherium Characteristics Longer neck Larger body size Softer, padded foot- less bony Habitat: Steppe grasslands Open plains to more hill Temp. and precipitation vary Summer- 100° semi arid Winter- 40 ° N. America to Asia Niche : Changes in Tooth structure allowed for more varied diet- especially grasses

7. Poebrotherium-Oligocene Formation of dry savanna due to open area and dense woodlands and a new creation is appeared due to wide ecological area of the Protylopus which has more resemblance with the modern camels. It is another phase in the evolutionary history of family camelidae called Poebrotherium. It was found about 35 million years ago. It is the Oligocene epoch when it is found. It lives in the plain areas of North America. And the size is about three feet. It resemble with the modern goat with size and shape. Its weight is about 1500 pounds.

8. Its snout and neck is like the modern Llama having narrow snout and long neck. Front teeth are larger and at forward angle for vegetation shearing. Their legs and toes modified than Protylopus and the speed is more than Protylopus. Their toes modified into hoofs and bore weight centrally and these hooves after it separated into two. Poebrotherium is the ancestor of many camellias.

9. Intermediate Ancestor= Poebrotherium Causes of Evolution Poebrotherium migrated across the land bridge that existed between N. America & Asia during this time Once in Asia, varieties of ancestral camels (Poebrotherium) moved to various locations depending on resources Overtime, various camel subspecies saw changes in allesle frequency (versions of traits) due to natural selection driven by resources Adaptations Length of legs increased (longer) Increased in size Teeth and jaw structure changing to allow for a more varied diet Went from 4 toes to 2 (lost the side toes)- better suited for grasslands that existed in N. America during this time

10. Procamelus-Miocene That is the time after Poebrotherium almost 20-5 million years ago. That is the time when earth starts cooling and there is a big change in species. They start to migrate in other areas. That environmental change cause the Miocene to enter into the Pliocene.

11. Procamelus-Miocene That is the time after Poebrotherium almost 20-5 million years ago. That is the time when earth starts cooling and there is a big change in species. They start to migrate in other areas. That environmental change cause the Miocene to enter into the Pliocene.

12. Paracamelus-Pliocene Miocene enter into the Pliocene by environmental changes. They began to grow longer and to grow longer with long necks. Physical features are developed changes like tooth and jaws and soft pedal foot. In Pliocene many species of camelids are developed and sharply extinct later. The examples are Ocydactylus, Gazzle, and Stenomylus etc.(www.IASzoology.com).

13. It is developed about 2.5 Million years ago it developed when north and South America gathered and they form a bridge. Through that bridge many species migrating towards north and became the early ancestors of Llama and Alpaca. Some of them move along the Bering Straits and migrate into the Asia and finally developed into the modern camels Bactrian and Dromedaries. Scientists believe that the Bactrian with two humped evolved later in comparison to the Dromedaries with one humped camels.

14. A recently fossil record on Ellesmere Island in arctic region of Canada and explain the evolutionary history from Poebrotherium to modern camels. This also shows that the modern camels resemble with a specie which five about 5 million years ago in the middle of Pliocene and some camelids move out of the north America into the Asia and finally developed into the modern camels. It shows that the size of those camels are twice than modern camels and they also have some adaptations to develop in Asia. (www.startravel.com)

15. Paracamelus

16. Evolutionary steps of camels.

17. Camelus-Pleistocene About 11,700 years ago and one humped developed from dromedaries and live in desserts and 6 feet height. Larger fatty acids containing the rope like tail. At the time Bactrian entered in Asia along variations. The Bactrian is thought to have evolved into the dromedary because modern dromedary camel’s fetus, during prenatal development, have two humps, and also a vestigial hind hump in adult dromedaries. Given this evidence, it has been speculated. (www.fao.org)

18. Evolution of a Camel- Modern Characteristics : Height-6 ’ Weight- 1500lb. Brown to beige fur Hump- fatty tissue Rope like tail Long , thin powerful legs Large “doe-like” eyes Long neck Habitat : Hot , dry, desert conditions Low precipitation Little vegetation Niche: Herbivores- eat

19. Kingdom Phylum Class Order Mammalia Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Vertebrata Camelidae Camelus Dromedarius

20. Evolution of a Camel- Modern Adaptations Hump- fatty tissue used for energy reserve (does not store water ) Double row of eyelashes-protect eye from sand Unique internal thermostat- body temp. lower than air temp which helps them conserve water Domesticated-assists survival in harsh environment Variations of the Genus & Distribution