Each member of your group will need to write a short summary about your project. It should include the following:

An introduction: An introduction to your project. This should be precise and to the point of what you researched.
A description of the biome you chose (tropical rainforest): Describe in detail the biome you chose. Describe what regions are included in this biome and what the climate and ecosystem is like.
Description of your unique or extinct organism: Describe the organism you chose. (Pinta Island tortoise Break it all the way down to the cell type and work your way to the key features of the organism. Explain what it usually eats and what niche they occupy within the biome including it relationships and connections to other organisms within the biome.
Classification of each organism: This is where you tell me what domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species the organism belongs to. Most of this information is found on Wikipedia. Do not include any sub-classifications. For ex: “subspecies” is something that I do not want there.

1 answer

Project Summary: Tropical Rainforest Biome and the Pinta Island Tortoise

Introduction: This project focuses on researching the tropical rainforest biome and one of its notable inhabitants, the Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis Abingdonensis), which is now extinct. We will explore the characteristics of the tropical rainforest, including its climate, ecosystem, and geographical distribution, while delving into the biological and ecological attributes of the Pinta Island tortoise within this complex environment.

Description of the Tropical Rainforest Biome: The tropical rainforest biome is characterized by its lush, dense vegetation, high biodiversity, and year-round warmth. This biome is primarily located near the equator, encompassing regions in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and parts of Central America. The climate is typically hot and humid, with average annual temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and heavy rainfall averaging between 1750 mm to 2000 mm (69 to 79 inches) annually. Tropical rainforests boast a complex ecosystem, featuring multiple layers including the canopy, understory, and forest floor, each hosting unique species of plants and animals that interact in various ecological relationships. These rainforests are crucial for global biodiversity and play a significant role in regulating earth's climate.

Description of the Pinta Island Tortoise: The Pinta Island tortoise, scientifically classified as Chelonoidis Abingdonensis, was a large reptile native to Pinta Island in the Galápagos Archipelago. As a member of the Chelonioidea superfamily, it exhibits several key features indicative of tortoises, including a domed shell, stout limbs, and a beak-like mouth suited for herbivory. At the cellular level, like all tortoises, the Pinta Island tortoise is composed of eukaryotic cells, which are more complex than prokaryotic cells, featuring a true nucleus and various organelles. This tortoise primarily fed on a diet of native vegetation such as grasses, leaves, and fruits, directly impacting plant populations and maintaining the ecological balance within its habitat. It occupied a vital niche as a herbivore, contributing to seed dispersal and influencing the growth of plant species in the tropical rainforest.

Classification of the Pinta Island Tortoise:

  • Domain: Eukarya
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Testudinidae
  • Genus: Chelonoidis
  • Species: Abingdonensis

This project highlights the importance of the tropical rainforest as a biome, as well as the role of the Pinta Island tortoise in its unique ecosystem, emphasizing the delicate balance of biodiversity that has significant implications for conservation efforts.