WHAT IS A MORPHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION? (WITH EXAMPLES) - BIOLOGY - 2025

The morphological adaptations are physical changes that occur over several generations living organisms such as animals and plants. The adaptations of the different species can be physical or behavioral; both categories are necessary for the survival of a species.

An example of the first time these adaptations were observed occurred when Charles Darwin noticed that the bill of a finch from the Galapagos Islands had adapted to eat a particular diet.

These observations on adaptations prompted Darwin's theory of natural selection. It is thought that over millions of years, one species of finch adapted to the unique environment of the island and evolved into 13 different species. Each type of finch has different characteristics that allow it to eat certain insects, flowers, or seeds.

Organisms that adapt to their environment are able to secure their food, water, and nutrients. They can also get heat and air to breathe; By adapting, these organisms are able to overcome physical conditions such as temperature, light, and heat. Likewise, they can defend themselves against their natural enemies, reproduce and respond to the changes that happen around them.

In the case of morphological adaptations, they are adaptations that are related to the appearance of the organism, whether it is a plant or an animal. This includes any structure, color, size or shape that has been adapted to ensure its survival.

Examples of morphological adaptations

1- Camouflage

Camouflage is the ability to not be seen. It is used by predators, prey, and plants. Color can help an organism blend in with its environment, even when the organism cannot see in color.

The shapes of their bodies can make them appear to be some other common object in the same environment; this is what camouflage skill is all about.

Sometimes an animal's patterns could make it more identifiable; however, other times they might help you dress up.

The chameleon is an animal that has the ability to adapt the tone of its skin to the environment to camouflage itself from predators or as a hunting strategy

For example, tiger stripes or giraffe spots make them nearly impossible to detect in dappled light. Additionally, the eggs of many birds are spotted to go unnoticed by their prey; caterpillars and geckos camouflage themselves among the leaves, etc.

Other examples of camouflage in animals include: squid that fill the eggs of their young with ink to camouflage them; yellow and black striped cat snakes mingling in mangroves; partridges and hares shedding their fur to blend in with the melting snow; and the sea dragons that deceive their predators and other animals with their camouflage.

Animals that exhibit this adaptation

• The brown-necked sloth, the three-toed sloth, and the pygmy sloth.
• The black bear and the polar bear.
• The Eurasian lynx, the spotted leopard, the jaguar, the leopard, the snow leopard, the tiger, and the bobcat, among other felines.
• The African penguin, pheasant, kiwi, owls, and grouse, among other birds.
• The American crocodile, alligator, salamanders, and many species of snakes.
• Some frogs and toads.
• Some species of sharks, rays, octopuses and squid.
• Various species of butterflies.

2- Neotenia

This ability refers to those animals that retain their youthful characteristics in adulthood. Neoteny is important in evolution: Humans are neotenic primates and insects are presumed to be descendants of a neotenic millipede ancestor.

Probably the best known example of this characteristic is the axolotl, a salamander that remains as a tadpole all its life; it never loses its gills and never leaves water to live on land.

The Texas blind salamander also has this characteristic. This species lives in caves where light does not penetrate; they have eyes but they are covered with skin since they do not need them to survive in this environment.

The axolotl is capable of reaching sexual maturity while retaining its larval characteristics

Polymorphism

Polymorphism literally means "many forms"; and it can be displayed in many ways. A truly polymorphic species has individuals of differently striking appearance living in the same area.

For example, mule ants have workers of different sizes in the same nest; Some snakes have a zigzag pattern on their skin that can be black or colored. For this reason these species are polymorphic.

If the difference is between males and females, as is the case with peacocks and turkeys, it would be a case of sexual dimorphism rather than polymorphism.

Some species of snails exist in many different colors because of this ability. Another example is eels that start to change color when they enter fresh water and cichlid fish, which have a wide variety of colors to attract females. Humans also exhibit polymorphic characteristics.

Sunflower starfish

Other examples of animals with polymorphism:

• The gray seal, the gray wolf, the lion, the Tibetan fox, the mountain hare and the red squirrel.
• Some birds such as the wild turkey, Eleonora's hawk, the snow goose, and the fulmar.
• The boa constrictor, the marine iguana, the collared snake and the velvet snake.
• The sunflower starfish.
• Various species of ants.

Sexual dimorphism

Top female, bottom male. Gender differences in the peacock species

Sexual dimorphism describes those animals in which there is a differential physical difference, in addition to the reproductive organs, between males and females of the same species. One may be larger than the other or one may have a different coloration or additional parts on its body, such as horns, plumage, or fur.

In cases where the females are larger or more ornate, it is called reverse sexual dimorphism.

In nature there are many examples of this characteristic: male narwhal whales use their large tusks to attract females; in zebra finches their coloration is important when it comes to attracting females; male red phalaropes are duller in color and care for their young; and of course, the differences between male and female humans.

Examples of sexual dimorphism in other animals:

• Among the mammals: the Tasmanian devil, seals, sloths, buffaloes, giraffes, sheep, deer, reindeer, koalas, gorillas, elephants and whales, are just some of the mammals on display this feature.
• The condor, the eagle, the ostrich and the peacock.
• Python, chameleon, some frogs and some butterflies also have this adaptation.

References

1. Animal and plant adaptations and behaviors. Adaptations and behaviors. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
2. Sexual dimorphism. Adaptations and behaviors. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
3. Adaptations and behaviors. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
4. Texas Blind Salamander. Adaptations and behaviors. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
5. Adaptations and behaviors. Recovered from bbc.co.uk.
6. What are morphological adaptations? Recovered from reference.com.