Question

What features of cockroach are adaptations for its terrestrial and nocturnal life?

Answer 1

Hint: The adaptation which is being talked about is the evolutionary process that makes the organisms fit according to the changing environment thereby enhancing their evolutionary fitness.

Complete Answer:
- Cockroaches have been on the earth since ancient times, they have been dwelling on earth for around 320 million years. The early ancestors were different from modern cockroach species, they were not as large as modern cockroaches.
- The ancient cockroaches even lacked the internal female ovulating organs. Cockroaches fall among the most primitive living winged insects. They live in herds and are very tolerant animals, they can survive in a wide range of environments, from polar cold regions to tropical hot areas.
- Tropical cockroaches are often larger than those found in temperate regions.

Cockroaches have developed certain adaptations for surviving the terrestrial life, the acquired cursorial locomotion, excreting uric acid, the chitinous exoskeleton are some of its adaptations.
- The word cursorial is used to categorize a specific locomotion type in animals.
- A cursorial locomotion is adapted specifically to run. An animal is said to be cursorial if it has the ability to run fast or if it maintains a constant speed for a long distance movement.
- Uric acid is excreted in almost solid form in order to excrete less water.
- Chitinous exoskeleton is used as protection.

For nocturnal life, abilities such as mosaic vision, the presence of ocelli and antennae, have been adapted.
- Mosaic vision enhances the visuals.
- Ocelli and antennae are used as sensory organs to sense the surroundings.

Note: Cockroaches are organisms who have survived the mass extinction, they adapt dynamically to their environment in order to survive. The specific features adapted for terrestrial and nocturnal life include cursorial movement, chitinous exoskeleton, antennae, mosaic vision, etc.