May 11, 2025

Biology

Giselle Rojas

Scientific Name: Loxodonta

Interesting Fact: adult males can reach up to 3 meters (10 feet) and weigh up to 7,500 kg (16,500 lbs)

Ecological Role: Elephants are essential to the savanna ecosystem because other organisms benefit from them. For example, they make pathways for other organisms where it is dense. Their footprint is capable of making a micro-ecosystem where water can fill up the footprint and can provide a home for tadpoles and other organisms.

Interspecific Interactions: some positive interactions between an African Elephant and other organisms are: baboons drink from the water holes dug by the elephants, and in return, the baboons sit in the trees and alert the elephants when danger is around. Another example is the oxpeckers eat parasites from the skin and hair of the elephant which is beneficial because it reduces the chances for the elephant to pick up any disease while the oxpecker is also being fed by the parasites.

Giselle Rojas

Nicolas Annecchini

Nicolas Annecchini

Gestation Time: African elephants take up to a period of approximately 22 months/660 days. This is nearly 2 years, giving the baby elephant ample time to fully develop.

Sexual Maturity: Female African Elephants reach sexual maturity around 8 and 12 years old, while Male African Elephants mature a little later.

Offspring and Suvivorship Curve: African Elephants typically have only one calf each time they give birth, which occurs in intervals of 3-5 years. They follow a Type l suvivorship curve, which means they have a high chance of survival when they are young and typically pass in their older years.

Farrah Mizer

1. Hill, M.A. (2025, Mayıs 10) Embryology Elephant Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Elephant_Development

2. Allen, W. (2006). Ovulation, pregnancy, placentation and husbandry in the African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ). Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1609400/

Nicolas Sources:

1. https://study.com/learn/lesson/threats-savanna-human-impact-environmental-problems-solutions.html

Giselle's Sources:

1. Libretexts. (2022, February 19). 13.3: Savanna Biome. Geosciences LibreTexts. https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geography_(Physical)/The_Physical_Environment_(Ritter)/13%3A_Earth_Biomes/13.03%3A_Savanna_Biome

2. KDE Santa Barbara. https://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/savanna.html

3. Ias, P. (2018, July 31). Savanna Climate (Tropical Wet Dry climate). PMF IAS. https://www.pmfias.com/savanna-climate-tropical-wet-and-dry-climate-sudan-climate/#:~:text=The%20prevailing%20winds%20of%20the,flow%20from%20east%20to%20west.

4. Elephant | Species | WWF

5. Home | africanelephantmgs. Africanelephantmgs. https://mariana68.wixsite.com/africanelephantmgs#:~:text=Interactions%20and%20Importance&text=Some%20examples%20are%20with%20the,between%20the%20elephants%20and%20oxpeckers.

6. Vachellia tortilis | PlantZAfrica. https://pza.sanbi.org/vachellia-tortilis

7. Wang, Z., Kumar, A., Singh, P., & Solanki, M. K. (2023). Editorial: Actinobacteria plant interaction: recent molecular tools and biology. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1209699

Geology: a savanna biome is typically found in regions where there is a wet-dry tropical climate. It is surrounded in tall grases that grow up to 3 meters tall, as well as surrounded with sacctered/individual trees.

Climate: warm temperatures ranging from 68-86 degrees F throughout the year

Rainfall: the anual rainfall ranges from 10-30 inches per year

Seasonality: the savanna biome has two seasons throughout the year. 6-8 months of the year is a wet summer season, and a 4-6 month dry winter season

Wind Patterns: the most common type of wind that take place in this biome is the Trade Wind which is most common to bring rain into the surface. This type of rain travels east to west.

Scientific Name: Vachellia Tortilis

Interesting Fact: This type of tree has a high tolerance for harsh conditions. It can withstand droughts, high temperatures, and sandy or stony soils.

Ecological Role: the trees umbrella shape provides shade and shelter for organisms in the wildlife. Its thorns also offers protection to organisms from their predators.

Interspecific Interactions: the Vachellia Tortilis tree can have some competition with other plants. For example, it can compete for resources such as water, and nutrients which impacts the strength,growth, and distribution of other species.

Giselle Rojas

Scientific name: Actionmycetota

Interesting Fact: Actinobacteria's most common places where it is widespread is in the soil, freshwater, and marine environments.

Ecological Role: The ecologial role that actinobacteria plays in the environment is degrading complec polymers, recycling compounds, and producing bioactive molecules.

Interspecific Interactions: The actinobacteria interacts highly with plants. It enhances the plants absorption of nutrients and resistance to diseases.

Giselle Rojas