Basic concepts of Herpetology

Question 1

What is ectothermic?

Answer 1

Use sunlight energy (bask in the sun) or absorb energy from laying on warm surfaces. Must spend time basking before they can become active.

Question 2

What is herpetofauna?

Answer 2

(Term for reptiles and amphibians) expend much less energy than mammals and birds Can go for long periods without eating (thus saving energy)

Question 3

How do amphibians reproduce?

Answer 3

Reproduced in water through external fertilisation.

Question 4

Why do amphibians need water?

Answer 4

They need water to keep skin moist and aquatic larval amphibians alive.

Question 5

What are the order of amphibians in the class amphibia?

Answer 5

Anura. Caudata. Gymnophiona.

Question 6

What are anura?

Answer 6

Frogs and Toads (Greek: “without a tail”)

Question 7

What are caudata?

Answer 7

Salamanders and Newts ( Latin: “with a tail”).

Question 8

What are gymnophiona?

Answer 8

Gymnophiona: (Greek: “naked snake”) Caecilians (least studied and least known).

Question 9

What does amphibia mean?

Answer 9

Double life.

Question 10

Where do adult amphibians tend to live?

Answer 10

They tend to live on land but they lay their eggs in the water.

Question 11

Do amphibians eggs have shells?

Answer 11

No. They are shell less. Big difference between amphibians and reptiles.

Question 12

What is metamorphosis?

Answer 12

The process by which tadpoles change into adults.

Question 13

What do amphibians mainly eat?

Answer 13

Insects.

Question 14

Describe the amphibians skin?

Answer 14

Skin is moist, naked, permeable, and used extensively for breathing.

Question 15

Do all amphibians have lungs, if not how do they breathe?

Answer 15

Some amphibians lack lungs and breathe almost completely through their skin. They also absorb water through their skin.

Question 16

What are the 3 basic groups of salamanders?

Answer 16

Aquatic salamanders. Semi-aquatic salamanders. Terrestrial salamanders.

Question 17

Do salamanders hibernate?

Answer 17

Salamanders in cool climates may hibernate in the mud of pond bottoms or on land deep in the soil….metabolism slows considerably.

Question 18

Are salamanders predators?

Answer 18

Larval and adult salamanders are predators and eat small invertebrates like worms and insects.

Question 19

What is a newt?

Answer 19

A newt is a salamander but not all aquatic salamanders are considered to be newts.

Question 20

What is the difference between frogs and newts?

Answer 20

Newts are very similarly shaped to frogs but have a tail.

Question 21

Can newts and salamanders regenerate missing body parts?

Answer 21

Yes.

Question 22

What is the difference between how frogs and newts/salamanders lay their eggs?

Answer 22

Many salamanders and newts will lay/attach their eggs to plants as shown here versus frogs which generally lay free floating egg masses.

Question 23

What is fossorial?

Answer 23

Underground tunnel systems hard head and pointed snout allows for efficient burrowing .

Question 24

Does each species of frog and toad have a unique call?

Answer 24

Each species has a unique call that allows them to recognize each other and the nature of the calls is often mediated by the environment.

Question 25

How do they lay the eggs and how long before they hatch?

Answer 25

Eggs are laid in masses (globular or long strings). Eggs hatch within a few days to a few weeks with temperature driving egg development.

Question 26

Do tadpoles grow front or hind legs first?

Answer 26

Hind.

Question 27

What do tadpoles eat?

Answer 27

Tadpoles are mostly vegetarian, but in some cases will eat meat or even cannibalize other tadpoles. These carnivorous individuals grow faster and develop larger mouths with teeth.

Question 28

How long is the time between hatching and metamorphosis?

Answer 28

The time between hatching and metamorphosis is typically 2 to 4 months but in the tailed frog it can last 4 years.

Question 29

What is the process of metamorphosis?

Answer 29

Gills are absorbed and lungs develop. Tail is absorbed and eyelids develop. A gaping mouth takes the place of the horny beak of the vegetarian tadpoles. The shift in diet (from mainly herbivorous to more carnivorous) causes the digestive system to also change. Frogs eat insects and other invertebrates, but large bullfrogs may eat small vertebrates.

Question 30

Amphibians and reptiles are often grouped together. Why? (What is the major characteristic that they share?)

Answer 30

ectothermic - unable to produce own body heat move in and out of heat sources

Question 31

The word “amphibian” comes from the word “amphibia” which means double-life. Why do we say amphibians lead a double life?

Answer 31

metamorphosis - two body forms during life, water young - land adult

Question 32

Define ectothermic.

Answer 32

do not have metabolic control of body temperature must move in and out of heat sources

Question 33

The young of most amphibians breathe with _____, the adults of most amphibians breathe with ______.

Answer 33

gills, lungs

Question 34

Define neoteny.

Answer 34

retention of larval characteristics into adulthood

Question 35

If a child asks you the difference between frogs and toads, what would you say is generally true?

Answer 35

frogs - moist skin, lay eggs in clusters, webbed hind feet toads - dryer skin, broader - flatter body, don’t jump as well

Question 36

Do amphibians have teeth?

Answer 36

Some do

Question 37

Describe two ways that coloration helps an amphibian to survive.

Answer 37

camouflage, ward off predators, mimic poisonness creatures

Question 38

Reptiles thermoregulate; what does this mean?

Answer 38

use behavior to regulate their body temperature

Question 39

Name two ways reptiles have young and define each.

Answer 39

ov - lay eggs outside the body ovo - lay eggs inside the body

Question 40

List three characteristics of reptiles

Answer 40

lungs, scales, eggs, ectothermic, internal fertilization, direct development

Question 41

Name the five reptile orders: Type of animals in the order:

Answer 41

Rhynchocephalia - tuatara Crocodylia - crocodilians Chelonia - turtles/tortiso Squamato - snakes/lizards Amphisbaena - worm lizard

Question 42

The upper part of the turtle shell is called the _______. The lower part is called the _________. Epidermal scales on the turtle’s shell are called _____________.

Answer 42

carapace plastaron scutes

Question 43

Do turtles have teeth?

Answer 43

No - beaks

Question 44

Do turtles bear live young?

Answer 44

No - eggs

Question 45

Do turtles provide maternal care? Explain.

Answer 45

No - bury eggs and leave

Question 46

Most lizards have eyelids which _____________________________.

Answer 46

move to protect

Question 47

Why do some lizards lose their tails? What is this called?

Answer 47

autotomy - defense mechanism against predators

Question 48

Define the Vomeronasal organ (what is it, and where is it located?)

Answer 48

located on the roof of the mouth used for smelling and tasting

Question 49

Some lizards are parthenogenetic; what does this mean?

Answer 49

fertilize without the male (Komodo Dragon)

Question 50

What covers a snake’s eye? Explain.

Answer 50

brille - functions like a self-repairing contact lens

Question 51

What designs do crocodilians have for aquatic lifestyles?

Answer 51

eyes, ears, nose above water and in line on head tail acts like a rudder ear flaps when dive divided ventricle - special chamber in heart so can cut off blood when diving and resting on the bottom

Question 52

Do crocodilians provide maternal care? Is this true of most reptiles?

Answer 52

yes - guard nest and help guide young to the water

Question 53

Describe two ways to distinguish between an alligator and a crocodile.

Answer 53

Alligator - rounded snout, teeth don’t show when mouth closed, colder weather Crocodile - triangular shaped snout, shows tooth on lower jaw when mouth closed