Vertebrate Zoology Exam 2

Sarcopterygii

Hyomandibula; muscular pelvic and pectoral fins; lungs; 2-circuit circulation; lobe-finned fish

Hyomandibula

Floating bone, involved in respiration

Lungs

Provides supplemental oxygen, access to new resources, and better predator avoidance

S-Shaped

Shape of Sarcopterygian heart; partially divided atrium and ventricle; spiral valve

Spiral valve

Part of cardiac system, separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood

Actinistia

Coelacanths; fatty ossified lung; electroreceptor on snout

Three

How many lobes on Coelacanth tail?

1938

Year Coelacanth was rediscovered

Dipnoi

Lungfish; weak gills; lives in dry conditions

Estivation

Hibernation-like state lungfish enter to avoid dessication

Rhipidistians

Tetrapodomorph fish; loss of dorsal and anal fins, reduced caudal fin, flat head.

Eusthenopteron, Panderichthyes, Tiktaalik

Extinct specimens from Rhipidistrians

Stylopod

Upper part of arm

Zeugopod

Middle of arm

Autopod

Hand

Richard Owen

Author who published “Nature of Limbs” in 1849; created the concept of a Natural History Museum

ZPA

Tissue patches that control bone development

Hedgehog gene

Discovered in fruit flies; differentiates between front and back half

Sonic the Hedgehog gene

Named after hedgehog gene; active in ZPA; important for general development

9.8 m/s

Speed that objects fall at

Devonian period

Period of earliest tetrapods

Tetrapod

Four limbs with digits & wrist bones; cervical vertebrae; number of bones reduced

Zygopophyses

Extension on vertebrae to interlock vertebral joints

Stapes

First bone of middle ear; can be traced back to hyomandibular cartilage

Acanthostega, Ichthyostega

Early tetrapods

Labyrinthodont

First organism with zygopophyges

Amphibia

Mucous glands; granula/poison glands; 3-chambered heart

Conus arteriosis

Support structure for pulmonary valve

Urodeles

Salamanders; only found in Northern Hemisphere; bony larvae; no middle ear or tympana; lateral undulating movement; limbs at right angles

Spermatophore

Sperm package used by salamanders for internal fertilization

Buccal pump

Physical pump used to get air into lungs

Paedomorphic

To retain juvenile characteristics; related to heterochrony

Plethodonitae

Most diverse salamander group; no lungs; launches tongue

Hyobranchial apparatus

Used by Plethodonitae to launch tongue

Sirenidae

Long and slender; no pelvic girdle or hindlimbs; fully aquatic; secretes mucous cocoon

Cryptobranchidae

Largest extant salamanders; dorso-ventrally flattened; does not complete metamorphosis

Proteidae

Paedomorphic; 38 chromosomes

Necturus

Mudpuppy; member of Proteidae; lives deeper than other aquatic salamanders

Salamandridae

Mostly aquatic newts; feeds through suction or tongue protrusion

Eft stage

Stage of life where Salamandridae may secrete neurotoxins

Rough-skinned newt

Most toxic newt; eaten by garter snake

Abystoma

Can reproduce asexually via gynogenesis or hybridogenesis; obligate or facultative metamorphosis

Gynogenesis

Parthenogenesis without the presence of sperm

Hybridogenesis

Hemiclonal form of reproduction found in hybrids between different species

Gymnophionians

Caecilians; elongate; burrowing; may be terrestrial or aquatic; annulated body; exhibits parental care

Mullerian glands

Produces fluid to transport sperm in Caecilians

Phallodeum

Eversible organ used for reproduction in male Caecilians

The Tentacle

Chemosensory organ extending from foramen in Caecilians

Anurans

Frogs; elongate hindlimbs with fused tibia & fibula; reduced ribs; post-sacral vertebrae fused

Maxilla

Where teeth are positioned in frogs

Vocal sacs

Used by male frogs to make calls

Amplexus

Distinct mating position taken by frogs

Pelvic patch

Where frogs absorb water

Cutaneously, lungs, and throat

Ways frogs can intake air

Xanthophore

Pigment that is red, yellow, and orange

Iridophore

Pigment that is grey or blue

Melanophore

Pigment that is brown or black

Nuptial pads

Special pads on male frogs to stay on the female during mating

Breeding glands

Modified mucous glands that may produce adhesives

Phyllomedusa sauvagii

Frog species that produces uric acid rather than urea

Spadefoot toad

Frog species used to study cannibalism

Pregnancy test

Function frogs were used for that led to the spread of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Ranidae

Stereotypical frog

Bufonidae

Stereotypical toad, cosmopolitan

Hylidae

Tree frogs

Microhylidae

Narrow-mouthed frog

Dendrobatidae

Poison dart frogs

Chytridiomycosis

Disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis which kills many frogs by infecting skin and affecting osmoregulation