Native TN Herps: An Introduction

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the taxonomy, morphology, locomotion, skull adaptations, and species identification of native Tennessee amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna).

Lepidosauria

A major reptilian clade characterized by keratinous overlapping scales, a transverse cloacal slit, and autotomy planes in the caudal vertebrae.

Rhynchocephalia (Tuatara)

The sister group to Squamata within Lepidosauria, retaining a fully diapsid skull with a secondarily present lower temporal bar.

Squamata

The reptilian order encompassing lizards and snakes, characterized by the possession of hemipenes and determinate growth.

Hemipenes

The paired male copulatory organs found exclusively in squamates (lizards and snakes).

Determinate growth

A pattern of growth characteristic of squamates in which an individual stops growing after reaching adult maturity.

Ecdysis patterns in squamates

A behavioral and physiological distinction where lizards shed their skin in pieces, whereas snakes shed their skin intact in a single unit.

Lizard skull modification

A modified diapsid skull configuration distinguished by the evolutionary loss of the lower temporal bar.

Snake skull modification

A modified diapsid skull configuration distinguished by the evolutionary loss of both the upper and lower temporal bars.

Scincidae

The skink family, characterized by smooth scales, small cylindrical bodies, minimal neck distinction, and tail autotomy.

Tail autotomy

The defensive self-amputation of the tail along specialized fracture planes within the caudal vertebrae.

Plestiodon fasciatus (Common five-lined skink)

A diurnal, primarily insectivorous skink of moist habitats preyed upon by kingsnakes.

Phrynosomatidae

A family of North American spiny lizards characterized by rough, spiny scales and pleurodont dentition.

Pleurodont teeth

A dentition type characteristic of phrynosomatid lizards in which teeth are ankylosed to the inner surface of the jawbone.

Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern fence lizard)

A sexually dimorphic phrynosomatid lizard with rough scales that commonly climbs pine trees and fences.

Lateral undulation

The primary mode of snake locomotion in which horizontal waves propagate posteriorly along the body, pushing against irregularities in the substrate.

Concertina locomotion

A specialized snake gait used in narrow passages where sections of the body alternately anchor against walls while extending or pulling forward.

Rectilinear locomotion

A straight-line snake movement mode common in heavy-bodied species, powered by waves of costocutaneous muscle contraction moving the ventral scutes forward.

Sidewinding

A snake locomotion mode used on unstable substrates like loose sand, utilizing continuous lateral loops that lift portions of the body off the ground.

Proteroglyphous dentition

A venom delivery configuration consisting of short, permanently erect, hollow fangs fixed to the anterior end of the maxilla.

Crotalinae

The pitviper subfamily of Viperidae, containing venomous species possessing heat-sensing facial pits.

Agkistrodon contortrix (Copperhead)

A venomous crotaline pitviper exhibiting hourglass dorsal bands; juveniles feature a bright yellow-green tail tip used for caudal luring.

Agkistrodon piscivorous (Cottonmouth)

A semi-aquatic venomous pitviper that flashes a bright white buccal cavity lining as an antipredator display.

Colubridae

The largest family of snakes globally, comprising roughly $1{,}800$ species that are predominantly nonvenomous.

Carphophis amoenus (Eastern wormsnake)

A small, secretive, nonvenomous colubrid with smooth, glossy scales adapted for fossorial burrowing.

Lampropeltis getula (Common kingsnake)

A nonvenomous colubrid snake recognized for ophiophagy, including the predation of venomous pitvipers.

Heterodon platirhinos (Eastern hognose snake)

A nonvenomous colubrid notable for dramatic anti-predator defenses, including spreading a cobra-like neck hood and death feigning.

Chelydridae

The snapping turtle family, characterized by very large heads and stout limbs that cannot be fully retracted within the shell.

Chelydra serpentine (Common snapping turtle)

A chelydrid freshwater turtle with three modest carapace keels, a hooked jaw, and a serrated tail.

Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator snapper)

A large freshwater chelydrid featuring three prominent carapace ridges and a vermiform pink lure inside the mouth used for ambush feeding.

Emydidae

The pond and box turtle family, known for marked sexual dimorphism and high popularity within the pet trade.

Trachemys scripta (Pond Slider)

A widely kept emydid turtle recognized by yellow or red facial striping patterns.

Graptemys geographica (Northern map turtle)

An emydid species bearing intricate yellow lines across its shell that resemble topographical contours.

Terrapene carolina Carolina (Eastern box turtle)

A terrestrial emydid turtle possessing a high-domed carapace and a transverse plastron hinge enabling full closure.

Kinosternidae

The mud and musk turtle family, distinguished by small size ($4\text{--}6\text{ in}$) and foul-smelling defensive glandular secretions.

Sternotherus odoratus (Common Musk turtle)

A small aquatic kinosternid (also known as the Stinkpot) with a reduced, fused plastron that exudes a pungent musk when handled.

Kinosternon subrubrum (Eastern mud turtle)

A kinosternid species possessing a double-hinged plastron allowing both anterior and posterior lobes to close.

Trionychidae

The softshell turtle family, characterized by a flattened, leathery carapace lacking epidermal scutes, an elongated snout, and an ambush hunting lifestyle.

Apalone spinifera (Spiny softshell)

A trionychid turtle featuring a soft rubbery shell with spiny projections along the anterior edge, a snorkel snout, and mud-burying habits.

Lissamphibia

The clade containing modern amphibians, defined by smooth, moist, scaleless glandular skin, pedicellate teeth, carnivorous habits, and metamorphosis.

Batrachia

The clade comprising salamanders (Caudata) and frogs (Anura), united by distinct skull anatomical traits and molecular evidence.

Gymnophiona (Caecilians)

Limbless subterranean amphibians possessing sensory tentacles and utilizing the interhyoid muscle to close the jaw.

Anura (Frogs)

The amphibian order diagnosed by the fusion of the urostyle, loss of the tail in adults, a fused tibiofibula, and a tympanum.

Ranidae

The true frog family, exhibiting the widest geographic distribution and a broad adult body size range.

Lithobates catesbeianus (American bullfrog)

A large ranid frog lacking dorsolateral folds that extend down the back and possessing conspicuous round tympana.

Lithobates palustris (Pickerel frog)

A ranid frog identified by two parallel rows of squarish, rectangular dark spots along its back and yellow-orange inner groin pigmentation.

Lithobates sphenocephalus (Southern leopard frog)

A ranid frog characterized by irregular rounded dorsal spots with light borders and a distinctive white center spot on the tympanum.

Bufonidae

The true toad family, characterized by dry, warty skin, prominent parotoid glands, and predominantly terrestrial adult habits.

Anaxyrus americanus (American toad)

A terrestrial bufonid toad possessing warty skin and prominent kidney-shaped parotoid glands behind the eyes.

Gastrophryne carolinensis (Eastern narrow-mouthed toad)

A fossorial microhylid toad with a pointed snout, squat body, a fold of skin behind the eyes, and absent external tympana.

Plethodontidae

The lungless salamanders; the most diverse salamander family ($500+$ species) whose members respire entirely through cutaneous and bucco-pharyngeal exchange.

Desmognathus conanti (Spotted dusky salamander)

A plethodontid salamander with a stout body, light spots on the flank, and a characteristic pale line running from the eye to the jaw angle.

Eurycea longicauda (Long-tailed salamander)

A slender plethodontid salamander with a tail comprising over half its length, marked by vertical black herringbone bars.

Eurycea lucifuga (Cave salamander)

An orange to reddish-orange plethodontid salamander covered with irregular dark spots, found predominantly in cave thresholds and limestone springs.

Ambystomatidae

The mole salamander family, characterized by stout subterranean bodies, glandular skin secretions, and functional lungs in terrestrial adults.

Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted salamander)

A stout ambystomatid salamander bearing two irregular longitudinal rows of bright yellow or orange spots on a dark body.

Ambystoma tigrinum (Eastern tiger salamander)

A large, heavy-bodied mole salamander featuring irregular olive, yellow, or tan blotches and bars over a dark ground color.

Pleurodelinae

The newt subfamily of Salamandridae, characterized by rough, granular skin and adults that spend extensive periods in aquatic habitats.

Notophthalmus viridescens (Red-spotted newt / Eastern newt)

A pleurodeline newt possessing a complex life cycle including an aquatic larva, a toxic orange terrestrial subadult (red eft), and an olive aquatic adult.