Question

Organisms possessing strong and stout forelimbs with clawed digits show which adaptations?
(a) Arboreal
(b) Cursorial
(c) Fossorial
(d) Volant

Answer 1

Hint: They are those organisms that live underground in burrows but not permanently. Their habitat may change according to the environmental factors and the animals adapt accordingly. They may include squirrels, rats, or bees.

Complete answer:
The organisms that possess strong and stout forelimbs with clawed digits are said to be fossorial because these strong forelimbs and clawed digits are responsible for their burrowing nature. During the day they live on the land but during the night they go back to their burrows.
- The organism varies depending upon their habitat, they may be fossorial or sub- fossorial in nature.
- Those organisms that show half adaptation of fossorial are called sub- fossorial animals.
- The fossorial nature helps the organism in maintaining the temperature of their body and the surrounding.
- This property also helps the organisms to protect themselves from their predators and helps them to store food.
- The body of these organisms consists of certain modifications that include:
 (a) a fusiform or spindle- shaped body having tapered ends for the subsurface of the environment that may be dense.
 (b) the eyesight may be low or an]bsnet due to their dark habitat.
 (c) Ears may be small or absent as they may prevent them from burrowing.
 (d) The limbs are stout and short to help them dig fastly.
 (e) The forelimbs are broad and stout to help them in digging.
 (f) The tail may be small or absent as they do not need it for locomotion.
So, the correct answer is ‘Fossorial’.

Note: The term fossorial was derived from the Latin word fossor, meaning ‘digging’. There are various types of adaptation that are shown by different animals according to the environment they live in, these adaptations are Arboreal (those animals that live in trees, Example: Koalas), Cursorial (those animals that have the ability to run, Example: Cheetah), and Volant (those animals that have the ability to fly, Example: Falcon).