Herpetology: Class Amphibia and Class Reptilia

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on herpetology, specifically focusing on class Amphibia and class Reptilia.

Amphibia

A class of animals that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians, characterized by their ability to live both in water and on land.

Tetrapod

A vertebrate animal with four limbs; includes amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.

Paedomorphosis

The retention of juvenile traits in the adult stage of an organism.

Buccal pumping

A method of breathing used by some amphibians to draw air into their lungs by muscle contraction in the mouth region.

Ectothermic

Cold-blooded animals whose internal body temperature is largely determined by external environmental conditions.

Amniotic egg

An egg with a shell or membrane that retains moisture, allowing for reproduction away from water.

Integumentary respiration

A type of respiration in which gas exchange occurs through the skin.

Oviparous

Reproductive mode where animals lay eggs that develop outside the mother's body.

Homologous structures

Anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, despite differences in function.

Chytrid Fungus

A deadly pathogen affecting amphibian populations worldwide, leading to drastic declines in species.

Metamorphosis

The biological process by which an organism transforms from an immature form to an adult, often accompanied by significant physical changes.

Buccal / Sub-lingual Incubation

A method of amphibian parental care where eggs are incubated in the mouth or under the tongue.

Dermatophagy

A form of parental care in which young feed on the skin of their mother.

Toxins

Poisonous substances produced by various organisms, often used for defense and predation.

Heart chambers in amphibians

Amphibians typically have a 3-chambered heart consisting of 2 atria and 1 ventricle.

Anura

An order of amphibians that includes frogs and toads, characterized by their absence of a tail in adulthood.

Urodela

An order of amphibians that includes salamanders, which retain their tails as adults.

Apoda

An order of amphibians that includes caecilians, which are legless and generally burrowing.

Toxin types in snakes

Neurotoxin affects the nervous system, while hemotoxin affects the circulatory system.

Jacobson’s organ

An organ in snakes that aids in detecting pheromones and environmental scents.

Crocodilia

An order of reptiles that includes crocodiles and alligators, characterized by their 4-chambered heart.

Testudines

An order of reptiles that includes turtles and tortoises, known for their hard shells.

Squamata

An order of reptiles that includes lizards and snakes, characterized by their scaly skin.

Sphenodonta

An order of reptiles represented by tuataras, which have unique physical characteristics distinguishing them from lizards.

Keratin

A type of protein that forms the scales of reptiles and provides waterproofing.