Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians
• *Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians
What is an amphibian?
- 4000+ species
- Gave rise to modern land vertebrates
- Amphibian means -double life-
- Larvae start life in H2O with gills , adults are terrestrial with lungs
Evolutionary adaptations for life on land:
1. stronger bones
2. lungs and breathing tubes
3. sternum (breastbone) and ribs to protect internal organs

3 orders of amphibians survive today;

1. Frogs and Toads
2. Salamanders
3. Caecilians
 Form and Function
• Feeding: larvae = herbivore, adults = mostly carnivore
• Digestive tract; mouth > esophagus > stomach > small intestines > large
intestine (colon) > cloaca (well developed and advanced)
• Respiration: larva = skin and gills, adult = lungs and some through skin
- Many terrestrial salamanders = no lungs at all, through skin and mouth
cavity
Reproduction: females lay eggs in water, male deposits sperm over eggs;
Larvae commonly called tadpoles
• Kingdom Animalia
....Phylum Chordata
.........Subphylum Vertebrata
..............Class Amphibia
Order Urodela (Salamanders and Newts) long bodies and
tails, lives in moist woods
Order Anura (Frogs and Toads) hop/jump with legs, adult has
no tail
Order Apoda (Caecilians) legless with fishlike scales
 Reptiles
• Characteristics of Reptiles
1. Strong, bony skeletons and feet with claws
2. Ectothermic (cold-blooded)
3. Dry scaly skin
4. Amniote eggs
5. Respiration with lungs
6. Ventricle partially divided
7. Internal fertilization
The Amniote Egg
– Contains a water and food supply for the developing
embryo and can be laid on land.
– Must be fertilized internally, has a shell