Clade Amniotes

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary terms and their definitions related to Clade Amniotes, including their adaptations, characteristics, and classification.

Amniotes

A group of tetrapods whose living members include reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Amniotic egg

A terrestrially adapted egg containing four extraembryonic membranes that protect the embryo, allowing for reproduction on land.

Gas exchange in amniotic eggs

Facilitated by the chorion and allantois, providing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

Internal fertilization

Necessary for amniotic egg development, associated with specialized intromittent organs for sperm delivery.

Direct development

Amniotes develop directly into terrestrial forms without aquatic larval stages or metamorphosis.

Adaptations for terrestrial life

Amniotes have impermeable skin and rib cage ventilation to reduce water loss and ventilate lungs effectively.

Temporal fenestrae

Major skull openings used for classifying amniotes, including anapsid, synapsid, and diapsid categories.

Diapsids

A clade of amniotes characterized by having two pairs of temporal fenestra behind eye sockets, including most reptiles.

Synapsids

A clade of amniotes characterized by one pair of temporal fenestra, including mammals.

Hylonomus

One of the early amniotes, recognized as a small predator with sharp teeth and long jaws.