Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Exotics > Lecture 4 - Reptile and Amphibian Anatomy and Physiology > Flashcards

Lecture 4 - Reptile and Amphibian Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

What class do reptiles belong to?

A

Reptilia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the 4 main orders of reptiles

A

1) Crocodilia: alligators and crocodiles
2) Squamata: snakes and lizards
3) Chelonian: turtles and tortoises
4) Rhynchocephalia: tuataras

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What class do amphibians belong to?

A

Amphibia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the 3 main orders of amphibians

A

1) Gymnophiona: caecilians
2) Anura: frogs and toads
3) Caudata: salamanders and newts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe what it means for reptiles and amphibians (herptiles) to be cold blooded

A

They are ectothermic

Unable to generate large amounts of heat internally, so their body temp depends on the environmental temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Some reptiles can markedly raise body temperature by___?

A

Muscular contractions

Leatherback sea turtle - swimming

Pythons - shiver when incubating eggs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe herptiles

A

Mainly regulate body temperature via behavior

Ex. sunbathing, changing skin colour. coiling or uncoiling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

True or false:

Thermoregulation is less important in hot environments

A

True

It is more important in cold environments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe in ectothermy in reptiles and amphibians

A

Related to energy conservation

These animals metabolism depends on body temperature

This allows many herptiles to survive on very small amounts of food (most being able to maintain body temp)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Temperature of herptiles depends on access to temperatures within the POTZ. What is this?

A

Preferred optimal temperature zone (changes with species)

This is the range of temperature in which the animal can perform all necessary metabolic functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why is it critical that sick patients environment is at POTZ when administering medications? What could happen if it is not at POTZ?

A

This allows proper absorption, metabolism and excretion of the medications

If not, can lead to no response to treatment, lack of healing, overdose, or death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Heat sources such as heat rocks and red light bulbs are not acceptable in the herptiles world. What is the best source of heat?

A

Non-light providing sources ex. ceramic bulbs or heat mats that go under the enclosure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is something that is often unknown about UVB or UVA bulb?

A

Lose the ability to provide nutrients before they stop lighting up

Recommended they be changed every 6 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is it difficult to give subcutaneous injections to reptiles/

A

Very little subcue space

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the dermis of reptiles

A

Dense connective tissue

Contain blood and lymph vessels, nerves and chromatophores (pigment containing cells)

Contain osteoderms: bony plates within the dermis of some lizards and crocodilians

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the epidermis of reptiles

A

Scales and scutes of reptiles are formed by epidermal folds in most reptiles, vary in size and shape

Is keratinized

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are some other epidermal structures that mat be present on reptiles?

A 
Crests 
Tubercles 
Spines
Dewlaps 
Keels 
Horns 
Barbules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the integument of turtles/tortoises

A

Scales and scutes are thick epidermal plates

Nomenclature aids in species ID and medical recording

Cervical scute: first scute at base of neck area

Vertebral scutes: run down center of the shell (numbered)

Pleural scutes: lay right over the lungs (numbered and labeled L or R)

Marginal scutes: the border of the shell (numbered and labeled L or R)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Describe ecdysis

A

Shedding of the skin

Occurs with growth and in response to injury

Shed in pieces or in one large piece

Skin does not grow with the animal, so body outgrows it and sheds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Exuvia

A

the skin that has been shed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe dysecdysis

A

Abnormal or difficulty shedding

Usually due to poor husbandry: low humidity, no objects to rub on, malnutrition, dehydration

Can be from skin wounds, disease, dermatitis, parasites

If not corrected can lead to dyspnea, dermatitis, future shed issues, loss of toes or tail tip

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What can be done to help dysecdysis

A

Correcting underlying problems

2 hours warm water baths - soften shed and can pull it off

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is different about amphibian integument? What are drink patches?

A

Extremely permeable: absorb water directly from environment

Drink patches: areas of increased permeability on ventral surfaces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the epidermis of amphibians

A

Single or few layers of keratinized cells - very thin

Aquatic amphibians do not have keratinized cells

Amphibians regularly shed layers of epidermis and usually eat exuvia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Describe the dermis of amphibians

A

Contain chromatophores and glands

Glands produce secretions which help to protect the animal’s skin

Very little space in salamanders and caecilians

Anurans have looser attachments of dermis

May have toxic secretions produced by some glands within the dermis and epidermis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What do the reptilian and amphibian nervous system depend on?

A

Spinal segmental reflexes and locomotor centers for control of movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Describe the nervous system of reptilians, what reflexes are present?
How are some of them used?

A

Tongue withdrawal, jaw, pedal, and tail reflexes

When monitoring anesthesia in reptiles OTHER than snakes, use the corneal and palpebral reflexes (snakes do not blink)

In snakes: tongue withdrawal reflex will be maintained at the surgical plane of anesthesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Describe the vision of reptiles

A

Iris made up of skeletal muscle under VOUNTARY control (PLR: consensual reflexes not seen)

Lower lid is usually more mobile than upper lid

Nictitans: well developed and mobile

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Some species of lizards have thin transparent lower lids to allow for

A

Some vision when lids are closed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Describe the spectacle found in snakes and some lizards

A

A clear fused scale on the eye above the cornea (small space between containing tear film)

Tears drain into mouth through nasolacrimal system

No true eyelid

In caecilians, eyes are covered with skin

Eyelids are absent in some aquatic species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Most reptiles have poorly developed extraocular muscles (have to move entire head to look around) what is the exception to this?

A

Chameleons: their eyes move freely and independently of one another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Describe the lacrimal and harderian glands. What’s different about chelonians?

A

Present in most reptiles and amphibians: produce secretions that combine to form the tear film

Chelonians: no nasolacrimal ducts, tears spill over the lid margins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What happens in some amphibian eyes when swallowing?

A

Protrude ventrally into the oral cavity when swallowing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Describe the eyes in reptiles

A

Contain ossicles: sclera bones present in most reptiles (not snakes or crocodilians)

Lens: more fluid in reptiles than mammals (more rigid in snakes) allows for further accommodation

Parietal (rudimentary) eye in some reptiles (space - not an eye thought to be associated with light cycles)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Describe what’s different about accommodation abilities in chelonians and snakes

A

Accommodation:

1) chelonians: lens is squeezed through the pupil to adjust its size
2) snakes: lens move back and forth due to pressure changes within the aqueous and vitreous humors (doesn’t actually change shape)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Describe hypovitaminosis A

A

One of the most common diseases affecting turtles and tortoises

usually from a diet deficient in Vit A resulting in abnormal functioning of the skin

Signs: swollen eyelids, loss of appetite, weight loss, raw skin with secondary bacterial infections, nasal discharge, abnormal development of eyes in embryos

Treated with Vit A injectable or dietary supplements (may also need to treat secondary bacterial infections)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is different about a snake’s ability to hear?

A

Snakes: no external ears, columella articulates with the quadrate bone of the jaw - allows snakes to be very sensitive to ground vibrations transmitted through the mandibles and converted to sounds

Snakes can hear aerial sounds but it is not as highly developed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Who are aural abscesses common in? What are they often secondary to?

A

Middle ear infection are common in chelonians

Can be secondary to hypovitaminosis A

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Location of the heart varies in amphibians and reptiles.

Describe the location in some different species.

A

Chelonians: on midline just caudal to thoracic girdle, central to the lungs

Most lizards: within the thoracic girdle

Crocodilians and some lizards: farther back in coelomic cavity

Snakes: usually at the junction of the first and second third or the body length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Describe the heart of most reptiles and amphibians.

Describe the heart of crocodilians.

A

3 chambered with two atria and one ventricle

Crocodilians: 4 chambered heart unlike mammals or avians

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

How is there no mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in a 3 chambered heart? (only one ventricle)

A

Ventricle is divided (septum), it is just not considered 2 chambers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Why is it difficult to auscultate reptilian hearts? What can be done instead?

A

Usually can’t hear it, very slow, difficult to find, in turtles can’t hear past shell

Watch cardiac movement through skin

43
Q

What does heart rate depend on?

A 
Species
Size 
Temperature 
Activity level 
Metabolic function
44
Q

What is the vasovagal reflex in lizards?

A

Induces a drop in heart rate, blood pressure, and catatonic state

Triggered by applying gentle pressure to both eyeballs through closed eyelids (recover when pressure is release or with mild stimulation)

45
Q

True or false:

Reptiles can’t survive long without breathing

A

False

Reptiles can survive long periods without breathing

46
Q

Respiration is driven by?

A

Oxygen levels in the blood

47
Q

Lizards tend to experience severe respiratory depression while under anesthesia, so it is important to provide _____?

A

Positive pressure ventilation (2-4 breaths per minute)

If they stop breathing on their own the anesthesia will wear off

48
Q

Where is the glottis of most reptiles and amphibians located?
Describe the glottis in snakes.
Is there an epiglottis present?

A

In the rostral portion of the oral cavity

Glottis is very mobile in snakes and protrudes from the mouth to allow respiration during ingestion of prey

Is often no epiglottis present, but paired arytenoid cartilages bordering the glottal opening

49
Q

Is it east to pass an endotracheal tube in reptiles? Why or why not?

A

Yes

It is clearly visible and distinct from the esophagus

50
Q

Describe the vocal ranges of reptiles

A

No vocal cords

Only possible vocalizations: hissing, grunting, or bellowing

Frogs and toads: vocal sacs arise from the trachea

51
Q

Describe the glottal keel

A

Present in some species of snakes
Increases the volume of vocalizations

Found at the glottal opening so makes intubation diffcults

52
Q

How do reptiles breathe without a diaphragm?

A

Action of the intercostal muscles, ribs, and parts of the axial musculature used for respiration

Do not restrain them too tightly

53
Q

Describe the amphibian respiratory system

A

Simple sac like lungs

Some salamanders have no lungs (sub cue respiration - absorb through skin)

Pulmonary ventilation from pumping of the buccal cavity and pharynx (necks get bigger/smaller) gas exchange occurs through mucous membranes of the buccal cavity, pharynx, and cloaca

Gills may be present in young amphibians

54
Q

Some reptiles can be carnivorous, omnivorous, or herbivorous

Snakes, crocodilians, and adult amphibians are strict ____?

A

Carnivores

55
Q

What is the function of the deeply forked tongues of snakes and lizards?

A

Particle delivery system from the vomeronasal organ (accessory olfactory organ)
- smelling air by tasting it

Allow for detection of particle gradients

56
Q

Describe the tongue of chameleons

A

Specialized projectile tongues for capturing prey from long distances

57
Q

Describe the tongue of turtles and tortoises

A

Typically thick, fleshy, and relatively immobile

58
Q

Describe the tongue of crocodilians, what structure of the oral cavity aids them when being under water?

A

Immobile and attached to intermandibular space

Muscular flaps from base of tongue and dorsal pharynx allow for opening of mouth while submerged without ingesting or inhaling water (blocks off throat)

59
Q

Describe the oral cavity of amphibians

A

Tongue used to capture prey (most amphibians)

Salamanders: tongue is flipped to prehend food (lingual flipping)

Has numerous salivary glands to provide stickiness

Some have venom glands (snakes and lizards) which is a modified salivary gland with a canal that runs down the tooth

60
Q

Describe the dentition of tortoises and turtles

A

Do not have teeth, have tomia (keratinized beaks)

61
Q

Describe dentition of teeth

A

Have 6 rows of teeth: two mandibular, two maxillary, two palatine/pterygoid bones

62
Q

Snakes without venomous fangs are called

A

Aglyphous snakes

63
Q

Describe venomous snakes

A

Specialized dentition for delivery

Venom teeth: hollow with an opening near end where venom is expelled

Fangs receive venom through a duct from a venom gland at its base

Contraction of muscles around venom gland forces venom out of the fang

64
Q

True or false:

Snakes control the amount of venom delivered with each bite

A

False

65
Q

Describe the dentition of most amphibians

A

Most have teeth

Caecilians and salamanders: both maxillary and mandibular dentition

Some have odontoid process: cutting plates on rostral mandibles of some frogs

66
Q

Describe the esophagus in reptiles and amphibians

A

Reptiles: thin and distensible - unique morphology reflects type of prey

Amphibians: very short and wide (especially in anurans)

67
Q

Describe the stomach of reptiles

A

Variable in size and shape

Snakes: highly distensible

Crocodilians: thick muscle comparable to avian gizzard

68
Q

What are anurans capable of doing with their stomach?

A

Prolapsing the stomach through the mouth

Used for emptying the stomach if they ingest something undesirable

Gastric prolapse can be terminal event in dying animals

Can be seen with some methods of anesthesia

69
Q

Describe the intestinal tract of reptiles

A

Varies according to diet

Herbivores: longer than carnivores

Snakes: relatively straight (not a lot of coiling)

Colon: large and complex in herbivores (hind gut fermentation)

Cecum: site of hind gut fermentation in herbivorous lizards and chelonians

Liver: bilobed and large

70
Q

Describe the cloaca

A

Common outflow tract for GIT and urogenital tracts (all reptiles and amphibians)

Three chambers, similar to birds: coprodeum, urodeum, proctodeum

71
Q

Describe the reptilian kidney

A

Have a renal portal system arising from the veins of the pelvic limbs and tail (avoid injection of meds in caudal half)

72
Q

Describe the amphibian kidney

A

Some amphibians excrete ammonia as a nitrogenous waste product - others excrete urea or uric acid

Have no ability to concentrate their urine

Urinary bladders and cloacal anatomy similar to reptiles

73
Q

Male reptiles have internal testes located in the ___?

A

Dorsal coelomic cavity

74
Q

In male reptiles, the ductus deferens leads from the testes to the ____?

A

Dorsal wall of the urodeum

Possess a copulatory organ such as phallus or paired hemipenes

75
Q

Most male reptiles have a sexual portion to the kidney tubules, what does this do?

A

Develops in response to high levels of circulation sex hormones and provides secretions that contribute to seminal fluid

76
Q

Describe how copulatory organs vary in structures in male reptiles

A

Crocodilians and chelonians: phallus or erectile tissue rising from floor of cloaca

Snakes and lizards: paired hemipenes everted from the tail base through the vent (caudal to the vent)

77
Q

Describe the female reptilian anatomy

A

Paired ovaries in dorsal coelomic cavity

Paired oviducts lead to cloaca and end at the genital papillae on dorsal wall of the urodeum

78
Q

Describe fetus development in viviparous species

A

Birth live young

Fetuses are retained and nourished in uterine portion of the oviduct

79
Q

Describe the birth of young in oviparous species

A

Birth of young by laying eggs

Dig nests to lay eggs in

Without suitable nests many will not lay their eggs and experience dystocia

80
Q

Chelonians and some lizards may dig deep holes to___?

A

Deposit their eggs into and leave after

81
Q

After oviposition or parturition, reptiles are often not involved with the care of eggs or offspring. What are the exceptions to this?

A

Crocodilians: protect their nests and young for a period of time following hatching

Pythons and cobras: protect their nests until hatching

82
Q

Describe incubation of eggs

A

Development and hatching requires proper temp, humidity, and gas composition of the nest

Incubation time and temp varies in species

Reptile eggs should NOT be rotated during incubation

83
Q

Describe sex determination of reptiles with incubation

A

Sex can be determined by genotype or temperature at which the eggs are incubated

Females: heterozygous SW
Males: homozygous ZZ

84
Q

In some species they do not have sex chromosomes, describe how sexes are made in incubation

A

Higher incubation temperatures produce males in crocodilians and lizards (opposite in chelonians)

Temperature range within the nest allows for production of mixed clutch of hatchlings

Artificially can determine sex of animals

85
Q

True or false:

Snakes have no real sexual dimorphism

A

True

86
Q

In some species, pelvic spurs are present and can be larger in males, What are these?

A

Remnants of pelvic limbs that provide tactile stimulation to females

87
Q

Describe a male chelonian’s vent

A

May have concave plastron and more distally located vent than females

Allows closer apposition of the cloaca when the male mounts the female

88
Q

What is an example of a species of lizards that show obvious sexual dimorphism?

A

Male Jackson’s chameleon has three well developed horns on its face

89
Q

Describe the different sexual dimorphism in amphibians

A

Poison dart frog: males have enlarged toe pads

Anurans: males have large tympanic membranes

Salamanders: males have prominent cloacal glands

90
Q

Most caecilians (serpentine amphibians) are ___?

A

Viviparous

91
Q

Most anurans and salamanders are?

A

Oviparous

92
Q

What are amplexus frogs and toads?

A

Fertilize eggs as they are laid while grasping the female

93
Q

What are spermatophores in salamanders?

A

Packets of sperm deposited onto substrate by male salamanders

Picked up by females cloaca in spermatotheca (pocket in cloaca where sperm can be stored)

94
Q

When amphibians lay eggs, they are often laid in or near

A

Water

95
Q

There is some parental care of eggs/young in what amphibians

A

Anurans and most salamanders

96
Q

Larval anurans (tadpoles) have completely aquatic lives prior to

A

Metamorphosis

97
Q

Tadpole metamorphosis is usually complete within

A

90 days

98
Q

What is tadpole metamorphosis stimulated by?

A

Thyroid hormones

99
Q

What is the life cycle of a frog

A 
Egg 
Embryo 
Tadpole 
Front legs break through 
Pulmonary breathing starts 
Tadpole frog 
Adult frog
100
Q

Describe the snake skull

A

Extremely mobile

Mandibular symphysis is connected by ligaments that allow the jaws to move independently of each other

Allows mouth to open wide for ingesting large prey

101
Q

Describe the shell of a turtle

A

Part of their skeleton - actually connected

Can grow and heal like bones

Have a backbone/spine connected to shell

Most of the space inside is occupied by lungs

102
Q

What is tail autonomy

A

Defensive mechanism: species will drop their tail that will continue to move to distract predators

In some lizards and salamanders

Have a fracture plan on the tail where it is designed to break off from which results in very little blood loss

Lost tail can regenerate but is often stiff and cartilaginous

103
Q

Describe metabolic bone disease

A

Caused by imbalance of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3

Proper diet, temp, and light prevent this

Symptoms: swollen mandible, curvature of tail and sometimes spine, decreased bone density (will not appear as white on rads)

104
Q

What are some common reptile/amphibian species native to Sk

A

Plains garter snake
Great short horned lizard
Prairie rattle snake
Tiger salamander

Exotics (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions