Amphibians and Reptiles Flashcards
What does ‘Herpetology’ stand for?
HERPETOLOGY is the study of amphibians and reptiles, which are sometimes referred to as: ‘Herpes’ (creepy things), herpetiles.
What are the common physical attributes shared by most amphibians? (9 in total)
(ACRONYM: SMEERS234)
- Skin is soft, smooth and moist with many glands (some of which may be poison glands) and without scales.
- Mouth usually large with small teeth.
- Ectothermic
- Eggs lack shells and so must be laid in water or a damp environment to keep from drying out.
- Respiration by lungs, skin and gills, either separately or incombination; external gills in the larval form and may persist throughout life in some.
- Separate sexes: fertilization is mostly internal in salamanders and mostly external in frogs and toads.
- Two-stage life cycle. When an amphibian
hatches it is in a gilled larval form. In frogs and toads this larva is called a tadpole. - 3-chambered heart
- 4 limbs usually; webbed feet often present; forelimb usually with four digits.
Name the three ‘Orders’ found in Class Amphibia
- Newts & Salamanders - Order Caudata
- Frogs & Toads - Order Anura
- Legless Amphibians - Order Gymnophiona (tropical – not in B.C.)
What are the 4 families found in the Order Caudata (Newts & Salamanders)
- Salamandridae (Newt Family)
- Dicamptodontidae (Pacific Giant Salamander Family)
- Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamander Family)
- Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamander Family)
Diagram a dichotomous key using the presence/absence of costal grooves and
nasolabial grooves to separate the four families in the Order Caudata
Costal grooves?
Indistinct
Three segments in 4 toe of
hind foot?
Yes -> Dicamptodontidae (Pacific Giant
Salamander Family)
No -> Salamandridae (Newt Family)
Prominent
nasolabial grooves?
absent ->Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamander
Family)
present -> Plethodontidae (Lungless
Salamander Family)
What are the distinguishing features of the four families of salamanders?
(For this flashcard, just Family Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)
Family Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)
- presence of transverse vomerine teeth
- presence of costal grooves
- absence of nasolabial grooves
What are the distinguishing features of the 5 families of frogs (Anura)
For this flashcard, just Family Ascaphidae: Tailed Frogs
Family Ascaphidae: Tailed Frogs
- presence of a unique organ, the “tail”, that is actually an extension of the males cloaca
Name the two ‘Orders’ found in Class Reptilia
Order Chelonia: turtles and tortoises
Order Squamata: snakes and lizards
What are the distinguishing features of
a. Three families of turtles
Family Emydidae (Pond and Marsh Turtle Family)
- carapace not leathery
- plastron is large
- upper jaw not hooked
Family Cheloniidae (Marine Turtle Family)
- carapace hard-shelled
- front legs modified into flippers
- one claw on each forelimb
Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Sea Turtle Family)
- carapace covered with ridged leathery skin
- front legs modified into flippers
- no claws on forelimb
Can you state the red-listed species in each family of reptiles?
Freshwater turtles: Western pond turtle, painted turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle Family: leatherback
Horned Lizard: Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
Colubrid Family: Sharp-tailed snake, Desert Nightsnake, gopher snake (catenifer ssp.)
Describe 5 causes of the decline in amphibians. Note, the questions ask to‘describe’ rather than ‘list’ the causes…. Can you describe all 8 causes
(ACRONYM HHHOCCEE)
- Habitat Loss
- Habitat Alteration
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Overexploitation
- Climate change and ozone depletion
- Chemical contaminants
- Exotic species
- Emerging infectious diseases
What is chytrid (chytridiomycosis) fungus (from the video – hyperlinked)
Caused by aquatic fungus known as ‘BD’. Infected at least 350 species of amphibians. Infects their skin layer which has keratin, causing hyper-keratosis of the skin and increased shedding. Amphibian skin is really important (breathing, absorption of nutrients, etc.)
Human consumptive uses of amphibians (pets, food) and climate change contributing to the spread of BD.
Provide the general biology (distribution, identification, microsite selection) of the
red-listed species identified in class
s
What are the distinguishing features of the four families of salamanders?
(For this flashcard, just Family Dicamptodontidae (Giant Salamanders)
Family Dicamptodontidae (Giant Salamanders)
- less apparent costal grooves
- three segments in the fourth toe of the hind
foot, as opposed to 4 segments.
- Lungs are well developed, teeth are blade-like
What are the distinguishing features of the four families of salamanders?
(For this flashcard, just Family Plethodontidae (Lungless salamanders)
Family Plethodontidae (Lungless salamanders)
- nasolabial groove present
- four digits on the forelimbs
- Costal grooves prominent
