Geology Unit 3

When did reptiles dominate earth

mesozic era

what enviroments did reptiles dominate

sea, land, and air

three periods of mesozoic era

triassic, jurassic, createous

what is a reptile

cold blodded, air breathing verebrate

key physical traits of reptiles

kay eggs, scaly

what did reptiles evolve from

amphibians

what major adaption allowed reptiles to fully on land

amniotic (waterproof) eggs

what are amniotes

animals that lay eggs on land with protective membranes

did birds evolve from reptiles

yes (dinousaurs)

are birds cold blooded

no

2 main branches of amniotes

1. synapids → mammals

2. Sauropsides → reptiles, birds, dinosaurs

best scientific term for reptiles

suropsids

what is an anapsid skull

no openings in skull

what is a synapsid skull

one opening (mammals)

what is a diapsid skull

two openings (reptiles and birds)

what does synapsid mean

fused arch (one skull opening near temple)

what did synapsids evolve into

mammals

early synapsids looked like what

reptile like

what was the first major synapsid group

pelycousaurs

example of pelycosaur

dimetrodon

when did early synapsids live

permian period

what does dimetrodon mean

two measure tooth

why is the dimetrodon important

first animal with diffrent types of teeth and first step towards mammals

is the dimetrodon a dinosaur

no

whats a tetrapod

four limbed animals

what enviromental chang helped reptiles evolve

dry climate after Pangea formed

why are amphibians disadvantaged?

needed water → couldnt survive in dry conditions