vert adp. Q:A

What are the fish-like characteristics of Tiktaalik?

Fin rays, pelvic girdle not attached to spine, presence of operculum.

What characteristics make Acanthostega and Ichthyostega more tetrapod-like?

Zygapophyses, stronger limb girdles, loss of operculum.

What is the order of Tiktaalik, Acanthostega, and Ichthyostega from least to most derived?

Tiktaalik → Acanthostega → Ichthyostega.

What are the four membranes of the amniotic egg and their functions?

Amnion (protects embryo), Chorion (gas exchange), Yolk sac (nutrition), Allantois (waste storage).

Which activity is most energetically costly: running, swimming, or flying?

Running.

Name two adaptations of terrestrial tetrapods for pumping blood effectively.

Double circulation, muscular heart with divided chambers.

How do terrestrial tetrapods hear, see, and smell?

Middle ear for sound transmission, modified eyes for air vision, olfactory epithelium for smell.

What are the shared derived characteristics of Lissamphibia?

Pedicellate teeth, permeable skin, biphasic life cycle, operculum-columella complex.

Match common names to Lissamphibia orders: Anura, Urodela, Gymnophiona.

Anura (frogs & toads), Urodela (salamanders), Gymnophiona (caecilians).

What is phallodeum?

Copulatory organ of male caecilians.

What is amplexus?

Mating position of frogs/toads.

What is a spermatophore?

Sperm packet used in salamander reproduction.

What does a biphasic life cycle refer to?

Aquatic larval stage & terrestrial adult stage.

How many chambers does a Lissamphibian heart have?

Three chambers (two atria, one ventricle).

List two traits of caecilians advantageous for a fossorial lifestyle.

Reduced eyes (for burrowing), annulated body (for movement underground).

What are the shared derived characters of Anura?

Urostyle, tibiofibula, radioulna, reduced vertebrae.

How does a frog’s limb length reflect locomotion?

Longer hindlimbs for jumping, shorter forelimbs for landing.

What are the major threats to frogs?

Habitat destruction, pollution, chytrid fungus.

What part of the frog does chytrid fungus harm?

Keratinized skin, disrupting respiration.

Which groups are sauropsids and which are synapsids?

Sauropsids: turtles, tuatara, lizards, snakes, crocodilians, birds; Synapsids: mammals.

How do sauropsid and synapsid lungs differ?

Sauropsids have unidirectional airflow; synapsids have tidal ventilation.

What is costal ventilation?

Rib movement to aid breathing.

What are the main sources of body heat for ectotherms and endotherms?

Ectotherms: external environment; Endotherms: internal metabolism.

What are the four heat exchange mechanisms?

Conduction, convection, evaporation, radiation.

Why are smaller animals more likely to exhibit torpor?

Higher surface area-to-volume ratio leads to greater heat loss.

What force allows geckos to climb walls?

Van der Waals forces.

What do "homodont" and "polyphyodont" mean?

Homodont: all teeth same shape; Polyphyodont: continuously replacing teeth.

Which climate favors vivipary?

Cold climates.

What is the difference between Pleurodira and Cryptodira?

Pleurodira: side-necked turtles; Cryptodira: vertical retraction of neck.

What is the function of the right-to-left intracardiac shunt in turtles?

Redirects blood to systemic circuit, bypassing lungs.

How do crocodilians exhibit parental care?

Nest guarding, temperature-dependent sex determination, carrying hatchlings.

What is the function of the nictitating membrane?

Protects the eye underwater.

Which vertebrate groups are amniotes?

Reptiles, birds, mammals.

What are the heart chamber numbers for major vertebrate groups?

Amphibians: 3; Lizards/snakes: 3; Turtles: 3; Crocs: 4; Birds/mammals: 4.

How can you identify skull types (anapsid, synapsid, diapsid)?

Anapsid: no temporal fenestrae (turtles); Synapsid: one temporal fenestra (mammals); Diapsid: two temporal fenestrae (birds, reptiles).