FNR24150 Exam 1 Notes (copy)

Lissamphibia

The superclass containing all modern amphibians, including frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.

Temnospondyli

An extinct group of amphibians that were prominent during the Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras.

Gymnophiona

A group of legless amphibians that includes caecilians.

Anura

The order of amphibians that includes frogs and toads.

Caudata

The order of amphibians that includes salamanders.

Upper Devonian

The geological period during which early tetrapods, such as the ancestors of amphibians, lived.

Carboniferous

The geological period following the Devonian, marked by a diversity of amphibian life.

Ichthyostega

One of the earliest known tetrapods that lived during the late Devonian; often referred to as the 'roof fish'.

Tiktaalik

An early lobe-finned fish from the late Devonian, recognized for its transitional features between fish and tetrapods.

Amphibamus

An early amphibian from the late Carboniferous, known for its characteristics similar to modern salamanders.

Gerobatrachus

A transitional fossil between frogs and salamanders, found in the early Permian.

Triadobatrachus

Considered the first true frog, existing in the early Triassic.

Viraella

The earliest known true frogs, found in the early Jurassic.

Paleobatrachus

An ancient frog from the Cretaceous--Tertiary period that was completely aquatic.

Sirenidae

A family of aquatic salamanders, known for their elongated bodies and retention of larval features.

Cryptobranchidae

A family of giant salamanders, including the Eastern Hellbender, known for their large size and aquatic habitat.

Proteidae

A family of salamanders that includes mudpuppies, distinguished by their external gills.

Ambystomatidae

A family of mole salamanders known for their robust bodies and aquatic larval stages.

Plethodontidae

The largest family of salamanders, primarily lungless, which respire through their skin.

Anura

The order of amphibians that encompasses frogs and toads, characterized by their jumping abilities.

Scaphiopodidae

A family of spadefoot toads known for their adaptations to temporary aquatic environments.

Hylidae

A family of treefrogs recognized for their climbing abilities and varied habitats.

Bufonidae

The toad family, characterized by their warty skin and often terrestrial habits.

Ranidae

The family of true frogs, known for their extensive diversity and aquatic lifestyles.

Ectothermy

A mode of temperature regulation where an organism relies on external sources of heat.

Endothermic

Organisms that create their own heat and can maintain a stable internal temperature.

Gametogenesis

The process of gamete formation involving the division and growth of sperm and egg cells.

Metamorphosis

The biological process by which amphibians transition from aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults.

Paedomorphosis

The retention of juvenile characteristics in adult animals.

Oviparous

An reproductive strategy where eggs are laid and develop externally.

Viviparous

A reproductive strategy where live young are born instead of laying eggs.

Ovoviviparous

A form of reproduction in which eggs develop inside the mother's body and hatch into live young.

Sirenidae

Family of amphibians known as sirens, with characteristics like external gills and paedomorphosis.

Cryptobranchidae

Family of large aquatic salamanders, including the giant salamanders.

Reptilia

The class comprising reptiles, characterized by dry, scaly skin and laying amniotic eggs.

Amniotic Egg

An egg that has protective membranes allowing for development in a terrestrial environment.

Hylonomus

Considered the earliest known true reptile, dating back to the Carboniferous period.

Archosauromorphs

A group of diapsids that includes birds and crocodilians.

Tuatara

A living fossil species from New Zealand, representing the order Sphenodontia.

Diapsid

A group of reptiles characterized by having two temporal fenestrae in the skull.

Synapsid

A major clade of amniotes that includes mammals, characterized by a single temporal fenestra.

Parthenogenesis

A form of asexual reproduction where fertilization does not occur and offspring are genetically similar to the mother.