Amniote Classification Flashcards
1
Q
Q: What are fenestrae, and why are they important in classifying amniotes?
A
A: Fenestrae are additional openings in the skull for large muscles, used to classify amniotes into anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids.
2
Q
Q: What defines anapsids, and what is a modern example?
A
A: Anapsids lack fenestrae; modern turtles are an example.
3
Q
Q: What defines synapsids, and what is a famous example?
A
A: Synapsids have one fenestra on each lateral side of the skull; Dimetrodon is a famous example.
4
Q
Q: What defines diapsids, and what is a defining feature?
A
A: Diapsids have two sets of fenestrae: one lateral and one on the top of the skull.
