Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia 30 3 Amphibians together

Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia 30 -3 Amphibians together with reptiles make up a larger group called Herps. The study of reptiles and amphibians is called Herpetology. Herp comes from the Greek word herpeton, which basically means "creepy crawly things that move about on their bellies. " A herptile is an individual herp. A person who keeps and breeds herps is called a herpetoculturist and the hobby is called herpetoculture.

1. Class Amphibia A. Lay eggs in water 1. Live in water as larvae and on land as adults. 2. Have moist skin (no scales) B. Amphibians are ectotherms C. Gas exchange 1. Skin – always needs to be moist 2. Gills – some species 3. Some have lungs D. Feeding 1. Young tadpoles – herbivores (most) 2. Adults - carnivores

E. 3 chambered heart F. Waste 1. Nitrogenous waste are secreted by kidneys. 2. Large amounts of dilute urine because of osmosis occurring through the skin. G. Limbs 1. 4 limbs that stick out sideways a. Exception = legless amphibians 2. Use hind legs to jump 3. Suction like adhesive disks – sticky pads H. External fertilization - MOST

I. Frogs hearing 1. Frogs can hear using big round eardrum like structures on the sides of their head called a tympanum. 2. Tympanic membrane will vibrate to produce a sound.

J. Frog colors 1. Bright colors signifies a warning – saying “I’m poisonous – don’t eat me” 2. Other colors are for camouflage to hide from predators.

Frog feet

Order Urodela (formerly Caudata) A. ex. Newts and salamanders B. Size – no longer than 15 cm C. Larvae are fully aquatic with gills and a tail D. ~300 species

Order Apoda (formerly Gymnophiona) A. ex. caecilians (worm-like amphibians) B. ~160 species C. legless D. Burrow into moist soil

Order Anura A. ex. frogs and toads B. ~2500 species C. Frogs are more closely tied to water than toads D. Toads can live without water E. Ability to jump

FROGS Generally speaking, though, when we think of frogs, we generally picture what are called "True Frogs". . members of the family Ranidae, containing more than 400 species. These frogs have the characteristics of: • two bulging eyes • strong, long, webbed hind feet that are adapted for leaping and swimming • smooth or slimy skin (generally, frogs tend to like moister environments) • Frogs tend to lay eggs in clusters. Frogs from this family can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are referred to as the "true frogs" because of their generalized body form and life history: the so-called generic frog. Members of this family include the bullfrog, common frog, green frog, leopard frog, marsh frog, pickerel frog, and wood frog.

TOADS The term toads tends to refer to "True Toads". . members of the family Bufonidae, containing more than 300 species. These types of frogs have are characterized by: • stubby bodies with short hind legs (for walking instead of hopping) • warty and dry skin (usually preferring dryer climates) • paratoid (or poison) glands behind the eyes • The chest cartilage of toads is different also. • Toads tend to lay eggs in long chains. (There are some toads (genera Nectophrynoides), however, that are the only types of anurans to bear live young!) True Toads can be found worldwide except in Australasia, polar regions, Madagascar, and Polynesia, though Bufo marinus has been artificially introduced into Australia and some South Pacific islands. Besides Bufo, the family includes 25 genera, all of which, like the frogs, are anura!