1. Evolution of Camels Early Ancestor-Protylopus
Eocene 56 to 34 MYA
Intermediate Ancestor-Poebrotherium
Oligocene 34 to 23 MYA
Modern Camel-Camelus Dromedarius
Pleistocene MYA to current
Future Camels??
Ms. Buechler’s Example
Evolution of Camels

2. Some important evolutionary changes

3. Ancestral Camel= Protylopus
Characteristics
Very small-size of a rabbit
Height: 2’
Weight: less than 50lbs.
No hump
Front limbs shorter than hind legs
low-crowned teeth along the jaw
Habitat:
Forested areas in N. America
Niche:
Herbivore-Ate leafy vegetation primarily

4. Ancestral Camel= Protylopus
Adaptations:
Front limbs shorter than hind legs- allowed them to stand on hind legs to reach leaves
low-crowned teeth along the jaw- helps breakdown leafy vegetation
Fur was longer and thicker than modern camels-lived in colder environment
Hooves- better for navigating terrain than 3 toed ancestors
Causes for Change in Population
Climate changed in this location.
Went from forest to more of a grassland
Saw a change in allele frequency favoring this new environment (Natural Selection)

5. Intermediate Ancestor= Poebrotherium
Characteristics
Longer neck
Larger body size
Softer, padded foot- less bony
Habitat:
Steppe grasslands
Open plains to more hilly
Temp. and precipitation vary
Summer- 100° semi arid
Winter- 40°
N. America to Asia
Niche:
Changes in Tooth structure allowed for more varied diet- especially grasses
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Poebrotherium.jpg

6. Intermediate Ancestor= Poebrotherium
Causes of Evolution
Poebrotherium migrated across the land bridge that existed between N. America & Asia during this time
Once in Asia, varieties of ancestral camels (Poebrotherium) moved to various locations depending on resources
Overtime, various camel subspecies saw changes in allesle frequency (versions of traits) due to natural selection driven by resources
Adaptations
Length of legs increased (longer)
Increased in size
Teeth and jaw structure changing to allow for a more varied diet
Went from 4 toes to 2 (lost the side toes)- better suited for grasslands that existed in N. America during this time
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Poebrotherium.jpg

7. Evolution of a Camel- Modern
Characteristics:
Height-6’
Weight- 1500lb.
Brown to beige fur
Hump- fatty tissue
Rope like tail
Long, thin powerful legs
Large “doe-like” eyes
Long neck
Habitat:
Hot, dry, desert conditions
Low precipitation
Little vegetation
Niche:
Herbivores- eat
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Vertebrata
Order
Mammalia
Family
Camelidae
Genus
Camelus
Species
Dromedarius
Picture:

8. Evolution of a Camel- Modern
Adaptations
Hump- fatty tissue used for energy reserve (does not store water)
Double row of eyelashes-protect eye from sand
Unique internal thermostat- body temp. lower than air temp which helps them conserve water
Domesticated-assists survival in harsh environment
Variations of the Genus & Distribution

9. Future “Camels”
Characteristics
Habitat
Niche

10. Future “Camels” Adaptations
What might cause this population to change?

11. Content References

12. Picture References
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Poebrotherium.jpg