Lab 8 - Vertebrates

What is the skeleton of the fish made up of?

A skull, trunk, and tail. There is not a lot of vertebral specialization and function of vertebrae along the column from head to tail.

What are the 5 vertebrae found in tetrapods?

• Cervical Vertebrae

• Thoracic Vertebrae

• Lumbar Vertebrae

• Sacral Vertebrae

• Caudal

What is the cervical vertebrae?

Neck vertebrae that are responsible for head movement

What are thoracic vertebrae?

Ribs to protect the heart and the lungs and contribute to the breathing process

What are lumbar vaertebrae?

Run between the rub cage and the pelvic region and strengthen the back

What are sacral vertebrae?

Fused to the pelvic girdle and serve as muscle attachment points

What are caudal vertebrae?

Located behind the sacral region which is reduced in humans

What type of fins do jawed fishes have?

Two kinds of fish that are unpaired and paired.

What is the purpose of the unpaired fins?

They become the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

What are the paired fins called?

Pectoral and pelving fins. They are fused to the base of hte skill and the pelvic girdle.

What is special about the pectorial girdle in tetrapods?

Not attached to the vertebral column. The pelvic girdle is fused to the vertebral column

What is homology?

Certain characteristics arose from a single form in a common ancestor and diversified through evolution as a result of adaptation to different lifestyles.

What is analogy?

Appear similar but did not arise from a common ancestor

What are some characteristics of Cursorial animals?

• Designed for running

• Longer limb bones

• Flexible Spinal Columns

• Walks on toes instead of feet

• Traction on the foot with claws or hooves

What are some fossorial characteristics?

Those who live underground and rely on digging to find food

What are some characteristics of Fossorial animals?

• Manoeuvre underground

• Lower Friction

• Strong arms for digging

• Streamlined body

• Short tail

• Wide limbs

• Large CLasws

What are some characteristics of aquatic animals?

• Streamlined body

• Sleek and hydrodynamic

• INcrease surface on appendages to propel

• Webbed feet.

What are some characteristics of Arboreal animals?

• Spending time in the trees than ont he ground

• Long Limbs

• Gripping ing the branches with thumbs

• Claws

• Prehensile tails

What are characteristics of Aerial Animals?

• Long

• Slender digits joined with a thin membraine

• LARGE SA to trap air and lift

• Rigid flight feathers for birds

• Keeled Sternum that projects outwards