Water+Bilby

<< The Greater Bilby (Modern Animal)
 * The Water Bilby **

//Macrotis aquas // or the ‘Water Bilby’ is a personally constructed representation of a decedent of the Greater Bilby; showing how it may adapt and change to suit the environment 5 million years into the future. Earth is predicted to undergo extreme changes in the following 5 million years, and many of its animal and plant species must either adapt to the conditions or fall victim to the ever changing climate. Scientists have predicted that in the future humans will become extinct due to major geological and climatic changes in the environment in which we have become accustomed to.

Ice Ages occur when the polar glaciers found at the Earths’ North and South poles grow larger, to a point where they cover almost a third of the earth it in ice. Most of the oceans water is frozen in this ice, which in turn forces a drop in sea levels, creating new connections between countries. 5 million years is when the next Ice Age is predicted to occur, and the Water Bilby is an animal which becomes accustomed to the impact these conditions have on the Australian environment.

The predicted climatic conditions of the much of the World are where temperatures do not exceed -50°C. However, in Australia, the temperature is predicted to be comparative to that of modern Europe and to be somewhat temperate. As Australia drifts towards the equator, it becomes warmer, and woodlands and forests are able to flourish due to the lack of human influence. Winters in Australia are to become cooler, and summers somewhat warmer. Water in Australia, unlike many other parts of the world, is expected to be plentiful in forms such as rain and snow.

The Water Bilby, as following its name, due to climatic conditions and bodily abilities, migrated from the Central Australian habitats where it used to reside, to more coastal areas. In the future it will be found on the Queensland and Northern Territories Coasts. These specific areas will become more tropical through continental drift, and therefore more rainforests will develop in which the Water Bilby’s will reside. The locations in which this species will be abundant are in environments in which rainforests and coastal regions coexist. Animals that are prey of the Water Bilby include fish and small water creatures such as turtles, snakes, small birds, other small marsupials, as well as many different plant species. The Water Bilby fits into the category of scavenger much like the modern animal the hyena, whereby, the species is not extremely picky when it comes to its diet. This allows the animal to fit into most environment conditions and means that there is not dependency on any particular food source.



The Water Bilby has no successful predators as its fast swimming capabilities, poison secretion, and habitat conditions keep it protected. However, animals that may try to prey on this creature include any species of further developed reptile, or larger aquatic animals. The Water Bilby adapted and changed to suit the environmental systems of the coast. May different structural, behavioral and physiological adaptations came into force because of these environmental needs. The Water Bilby is a fast swimmer, and is able to reach high speeds under water by tucking both its ears and its front and back legs into its body, mimicking the actions of the [|salt water cormorant].

** Scientific Classification ** ** ﻿ Kingdom- ** Animalia ** ﻿ Phylum- ** Chordata  ** ﻿ Class- ** Mammalia  ** ﻿ Infraclass- ** Marsupialia  **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> ﻿ Order- **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> Dasyuromorphia  **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> ﻿ Family- **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> Dasyuridae  **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> ﻿ Genus- **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> Macrotis  **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> ﻿ Species- **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> M. aquas ** Adaptations **

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">The Water Bilby kept much of the Greater Bilby’s adaptations for use in the future world. Elements of its behavior such as the fact that it was nocturnal were kept, however through evolution; the Water Bilby learns that in order to survive it had to become more aggressive. The shape of the Water Bilby’s burrow stayed much the same as the Greater Bilby’s; however the detailed change of the location will be described in the following paragraphs. The Water Bilby also kept the adaptation that the Greater Bilby had developed whereby drinking water was not necessary.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Structural adaptation 1: **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> As the world changed from what we know it to be, the Greater Bilby adapted into a more superior species. The Water Bilby as the descendant of the Greater Bilby has several interesting structural adaptations, one of them being an almost complete change in the jaw and mouth structure of the creature. As the diet of the Water Bilby is more similar to that of its ancestor //Galadi Speciosus//, the jaw of this animal had to allow for larger jaw muscles near the throat. Furthermore, the almost nonexistent canine teeth as displayed by the Greater Bilby, were developed into larger canines which somewhat protruded from the moth of this species.

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">The strong molars used in conjunction with the sharp canines and incisors means that the Water Bilby is able to chew and grind vegetation, as well as rip and tear flesh off animals such as fish and small mammals. This allows the species to eat a larger range of foods. The selection pressure which may have influenced this adaption could have been related to an inadequacy in appropriate vegetation for the animal to eat.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Structural adaptation 2: **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> Another highly functional structural adaptation the //Macrotis aquas// developed is the webbing of its hind toes. The Water Bilby’s digits resembled those of humans, whereby there are five digits, with the middle three being the longest. A thick but flexible skin is used to connect each digit to the one it is next to. As the back feet are the only ones with this structural feature, the movement of the animal in land is not impacted; however the movement of the animal through water is highly effected. The Water Bilby is able to reach high speeds under water as its back legs and feet act as a kind of propeller.

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">This allows the animal to travel great distances at sea before it must come up for air. It also means that small darting fish are no match for the hunting skills of the Water Bilby, providing the animal with a relatively easy source of food. It also means that the Water Bilby is able to escape water predators


 * <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Behavioral adaptation 1: **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> The burrows and burrowing techniques of //Macrotis Lagotis// were one of the most fascinating adaptations the species had developed. However, with the habitual change that occurred the Water Bilby migrated, a newer and more extreme burrowing method was created. The spiral shape of the Greater Bilby’s burrow was kept, yet the Water Bilby chooses to reside amongst the roots of trees. These roots not only provide support to the deeper home of the Water Bilby (6 meters deep), but are also a source of food for the species especially during gestation when the mother prefers not to leave the burrow. Using the powerful forelimbs and sharp claws, the Water Bilby is able to construct a home deep into the ground within a timespan of no more than 10 minutes. To prevent water and other debris from entering the home, the Water Bilby covers the entrance to the burrow with a small rock or piece of wood.

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">The development of this behavioral adaptation means that the Water Bilby is further protected against any predatory animals, as well as being provided with a reliable food source. The speedy construction time allows the home environment of the creature to be temporary, meaning that they can be quite mobile animals. The covering of the entrance protects the Bilby further against threats, while keeping the home dry and cool in the warmer months, and dry and warm in the cooler months. There are many environmental pressures which could have pushed for this adaptation to take place. The main one is the threat of predators invading the burrow whereby the tree provided extra protection.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Physiological adaptation 1: **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> One extremely important physiological adaptation that the Water Bilby has developed is the ability of the animal to secrete a poison into the saliva of the animal. When the Water Bilby feels as though it is in a threatening situation, its modified parotid salivary glands produce venom that resembles that of a snake, which the bilby then spits in the direction of the threat. This venom is made up of a number of chemical substances including batrachotoxin; a neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system leaving the victim paralyzed. This poison is found in a modern species known as the [|Poison Dart Frog]. The venom found in the Water Bilby’s saliva does not affect the species themselves, as many animals with venom are not self-affected.

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">As the Water Bilby remains a quite small marsupial, this defense mechanism allows the genus to protect themselves. The poison sprayed from the mouth of the Water Bilby can take down an animal as large as a horse, as it is quickly absorbed into the skin as well as any bodily cavities. The environmental pressure that may have pushed this adaptation to develop is the continuous threat of predators for the small animal. Although the spiraling burrow built under a tree protects the marsupial when inside, the Greater Bilby had limited defenses against predators when hunting and scavenging for food.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Physiological adaptation 2: **<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> – Another interesting physiological adaptation the Water Bilby has grown to use is the process of making its fur ‘waterproof’. As the climate of Australia is too warm for this species to develop thicker fur, instead, special oil is secreted onto the fur. Much like the oil found in many birds’ preening glands, the oil is made up of uropygials- waxes which have an antiparasitic effect. This waterproof action can only be activated when the specific gland is ‘rubbed’ by the animal, and an electrostatic charge is created through the mechanical action of preening which is done by the front claws of the Water Bilby. The water bilby has two of these glands, in case of fault in one. In this species, the glands are located just above the pouch on each corner.

<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">This adaptation allows the Water Bilby to swim in cooler conditions, as well as keep the fur dry to prevent a distinct drop in body temperature. The environment pressure that could have pushed for this adaptation is the fact that the Water Bilby migrated to coastal regions in order to have a better food source. One of the greatest food sources being the ocean, this species had to adapt so that it could make use of all of its surroundings.

** Extinction Pressure **



<span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Although the Water Bilby is a highly developed species, many events could lead to either its eminent extinction or adaptation. The first is an ice age. Scientists have described the world to be in the ‘state’ of an ice age in around 5 million years, and described the climate of Australia, to be much the same as that experienced in Europe. The Water Bilby has adapted to these conditions appropriately. If however, the temperatures were to decrease in Australia, to be what they are in the rest of the world, the //Macrotis aquas// is not equipped with appropriate features such as blubber. If however, the temperature was to increase again, this species is likely to survive due to its previous adaptations. A further factor that could contribute to the extinction of this species is the development of a powerful predatory species in the Australian region, which would most likely easily be able to wipe out this genus.

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