YOUR MISSION

Introduction

• Get a quick overview of the island's unique biodiversity.
• Discover how this diversity arose through dispersal, isolation, and adaptive radiation.
• See how continental drift put Madagascar where it is on the map.
• Learn how people have influenced and continue to change Madagascar.
• Look at a timeline that outlines significant events in Madagascar's history.

A Fishy Story

• Be introduced to Madagascar's endemic fish.
• Learn how to read a fish family tree.
• Put Madagascar's fishes in order.
• Discover why basal taxa are so important.
• Help fish survive threats to Madagascar's freshwater fauna.

Leaping Lemurs

• Peruse Madagascar's primitive primates.
• Learn how researchers define a species based on the following factors:
• Morphology - what do they look like?
• Sexual dimorphism - do males and females look the same?
• Breeding potential - which lemurs can produce fertile offspring?
• Look through a microscope at lemur chromosomes.
• Discover how geographic barriers can contribute to speciation.
• Analyze how scientists define subspecies.
• Design lemur reserves to conserve these amazing animals for the future.

Troubles with Tortoises

• Be introduced to Madagascar's amazing reptiles.
• Learn how Malagasy reptiles are often victims of poaching for profit.
• Use math skills to follow a trail of money as you track the tortoise trade.
• Identify tortoises for sale using genetics and define their relationship to one another.
• Use genetic information to create a molecular clock that tells when tortoises arrived in Madagascar.
• Compare tortoises with other endangered species.

As you explore Madagascar, pay close attention. The human population is expanding, and numerous factors are threatening the unique animals and plants that have evolved here over millions of years.

When you've finished your investigations, you'll create a communications strategy to help save Malagasy species.