Adaptive Features

Adaptive Features
- Exoskeleton
  - armour/ protection
  - muscle attachment - strength
  - light weight ... flight
- Complete Metamorphosis
  - young & old occupy different niches
- Flight
  - flee from threat
  - leave unsuitable habitat
  - gather food from large areas
  - find mates at a distance
- Small Size
  - reduce time for life cycle
    - complete critical portion of life cycle in brief period
    - some have several generations in a year
  - adapted to many habitats & niches ("micro-habitats")
  - require less food per individual
- Adapt Quickly to env changes
  - short life cycle promotes adaptation
- High Reprod. Capability
  - if eggs = 359 & no mortality
    - in 1 generation ... pop'n = 359 (duh)
    - in 4 generations ... pop'n = 2+ billion
  - potential vs. achieved
- Dormancy
  - quiescience
    - response to immediate adverse conditions
    - resumes activity when favourable
  - diapause
    - in advance of adverse conditions
    - triggered by photoperiod (and/or temp.)
    - broken by heat sum
- Movement
  - spread
    - local movement within a favourable env.
  - dispersal
    - to somewhere else (may not be fav.)
  - migration
    - directed movement to a favourable area
- Defense Mechanisms
  - behavioral
    - jump away, motionless
  - morphological
    - stingers, spines, hairs
  - chemical
    - toxins
    - ... recognition - bright colours
  - shelter
    - inside plants parts, silk tents
  - coloration
    - camouflage
    - bright ... warning
    - mimicry
    - deceptive