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Adaptive Radiations in Reptiles
Adaptive Radiations in Reptiles
Adaptive Radiations in Reptiles
Flourishing reptiles
End of devonian produces organisms amniota Mesozoic era = age of reptiles first reptile (ancestor of reptilia)-cotylosauria(stem reptiles) Durind late Triassic period arose Dinosaur and Pterosaur belonging to
archosauria
Reptilian ancestor-Cotylosaur
Lizard like creature about 2 feet long It used to live on other larger animals Intermediate characteristics
synapsid
thecodont
Synapsids
Dinosaurs
Crocodiles
DINOSAURS
PTEROSAURS
Rhynchocephalia
Classification of reptilia
Subclass: anapsida o Order-cotylosauria o Order-chelonia subclass: synaptosauria o Order-sauropterygia Subclass: ichthyopterygia o Order-ichthyosauria Sublass: lepidosauria o Order-rhynchocephalia o Order-squamata Subclass: archosauria o Order-crocodilia o Order-pterosauria o Order-saurischia o Order-ornithoschia Subclass:synapsida o Order-pelycosauria o Order-therapsida
Snakes
Carnivorous snakes show following adaptations:Loosely articulated jaws Presence of Venom apparatus Python & boas squeeze their prey Presence of prey is easily detected by vibrations of air and water Presence of forked tongue
Burrow and also live on land Vestigial organs Adapted to various habitats such as trapical and temperate forests, grasslands, in desserts, in alpine medows and also living underground Smallest species (brahming blind) and largest species(reticulated python)
Aboreal snakes show following adaptations: Laterally compressed body Prehensile tail Exhibit protective colouration Flying snake can glide from tree to tree
Aquatic snakes show following adaptations:Flat tail Nostrils on the top of snout Highly venomous Feed on fish particularly eel Protective colouration such as yellow bellied sea snake and black banded krait Fresh water snakes are semi-aquatic They overhang on tree branches on a stream to catch their prey they also hunt in water
Breathing:-
development of false palate Nostrils present in the front of the mouth in the primitive land dewelling animals Aquatic forms- nostrils towards the back of their head In crocodilians nostrils are on the tip of snout but underneath lies a partion running along the entire length of the mouth Nasal opening are opened by constrictor muscles and closed by dialator muscles
Food habits: Feed on insects, crustaceans, fishes, small frogs, birds, other reptiles and mammals. Also developed a method of crushing and grinding their prey. Reproduction: Oviparous
Survival instincts:
Crest of large erect spines on their back Thick tail with spines Head relatively larger than body proportion Jaws are chisel-like Third eye on the top of head. This eye has lens, retina, and also nerve connection to brain. Habitat- burrows Penis is absent in males. Female lays eggs only once in 4 years.
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