Amphibians Taxonomy of Amphibians Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata

Amphibians!!!

Taxonomy of Amphibians Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Amphibia Order Urodela Order Anura Order Apoda

So, what do all amphibians have in common? • • • They are vertebrates They are ectothermic They undergo metamorphosis They have thin, moist skin for gas exchange They have 3 -chambered hearts to ensure that all body cells receive enough oxygen • They do not have claws • Most rely on water for reproduction • Have eyes, but not very advanced ears

ECTOTHERMIC (cold-blooded) - cannot regulate their body temperatures. Their temperature is dependent on the temperature of their environment. If it’s cold outside, amphibians are cold.

METAMORPHOSIS! Frogs have gills as tadpoles!

Order Urodela (formerly Caudata) salamanders and newts

Eastern Hellbender Some have gills, some have lungs, some have both!

Tiger Salamander Newts have rougher skin and spend almost all of their adult lives in the water

Order Anura toads and frogs Tree Frog Poison Dart Frogs

Fowler’s Toad calling Goliath Toad next to fawn Frog and Toad calls

Order Apoda: caecilians Caecilians are tropical amphibians with small eyes and no limbs. They eat earthworms and invertebrates found in the soil.

Class Reptilia

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia Order Squamata (lizards & snakes) Order Testudines (turtles & tortoises) Order Crocodilia (alligators & crocodiles) Order Sphenodonta (tuatara)

Characteristics of Reptiles SCALES - Dry, scaly skin prevents loss of moisture and provides protection from predators.

Characteristics of Reptiles Amniotic Eggs Amniotic eggs contain amniotic fluid (for protection), provide a source of food (yolk), and surround both with a protective, leathery shell. Helps prevent injury and dehydration of the embryo as it develops on land.

Characteristics of Reptiles LUNGS - Reptiles have lungs and so they cannot breathe underwater. Because of dry, scaly skin, they cannot carry out gas exchange through their skin like amphibians. ECTOTHERMIC!

Characteristics of Reptiles Most reptiles have 3 -chambered hearts. Some reptiles, like alligators and crocodiles, have 4 -chambered hearts. The 4 -chambered hearts separate the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood. This provides more oxygen to the body’s cells, and therefore provides more energy to the animal.

Characteristics of Reptiles have a variety of sense organs that help them to detect danger or food. Some reptiles have heat-sensing organs. Some reptiles can pick up chemical molecules with their tongues and use their Jacobson’s organ to determine what they are sensing.

Order Squamata (lizards and snakes) Komodo dragon

Panther chameleon

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Corn snake – a non-aggressive, non-venomous snake that helps keep mice and rat populations under control. (thank you corn snakes!)

Order Testudines (turtles & tortoises) Galapagos Tortoise

Eastern Box Turtle

Sea Turtle

Order Crocodilia (crocodiles & alligators) American Alligator

Nile crocodile See the baby? --->

Order Sphenodonta Tuatara: an ancient reptile from New Zealand that has teeth fused to the jaws and a very primitive skull. Most other reptiles like it died out over 100 million years ago!