Anthropogenic Causes of Extinction

• What are anthropogenic causes of extinction?

  Causes that can be directly tied to human activities
• What are some examples of human activities that can cause extinction?

  Overexploitation, population, habitat destruction, and introduction of new species
• What is overexploitation in the context of extinction?

  • Deliberate and exhaustive use of available resources
  • Animals become easy prey for humans
  • Hunted for products or as a cheap food source
• What happened to the passenger pigeon in North America?

  It became extinct due to being hunted as a cheap source of food
• When did the last passenger pigeon die?

  In 1914
• What was the role of Steller's sea cow in human exploitation?

  It served as food for whalers and its fat was used for oil lamps
• Why were Steller's sea cows vulnerable to human exploitation?

  They lacked behavioral adaptations towards humans
• What is the local name of the lobed river mullet found in the Cagayan River?

  Ludong
• How does pollution contribute to extinction?

  It renders habitats unfavorable and spreads diseases
• Which frog species became extinct in Costa Rica due to pollution and fungal infection?

  The golden toad frog
• When did the golden toad frog in Costa Rica become extinct?

  In 1989
• What are some species facing extinction due to pollution?

  The Chinese white dolphin and the freshwater sardinella
• What is habitat destruction and its impact on extinction?

  • Loss of natural habitat leads to extinction
  • Resources needed for healthy offspring are lost
  • Many species face extinction due to forest destruction
• Which two species are mentioned as facing extinction due to habitat destruction in the Philippines?

  The Philippine eagle and the tamaraw
• When was the tecopa pupfish declared extinct?

  In 1981
• When was the last sighting of the Javan tiger?

  In 1972
• How many native birds in Guam became extinct due to brown tree snakes?

  Nine out of eleven
• Why did the native birds in Guam have no defense against brown tree snakes?

  They evolved in the absence of snakes as apex predators
• How many endemic birds of Hawaii have gone extinct due to introduced species?

  71 out of 113
• What introduced species contributed to the extinction of birds in Hawaii?

  Cats, rats, and pigs