Module 11 - Amphibians Flashcards
To which order does all amphibians in SA belong to?
Order Anura.
Name the 3 types of Amplexus.
- The axillary clasp (behind forelimbs)
- Inguinal (in front of hind legs)
- Adhesion (glued together)
Give the differences between toads and frogs.
- frogs: long legs; toads: Short legs
- frogs: no glands; toads: sebaceous glands
- frogs: Adapted to aboreal life; toads: Ground living
- frogs: Lay eggs in clumps; toads: lay eggs in strings
- frogs: Water dependent; toads: less water dependent
What is satellite behaviour?
A male who is actively calling, tolerates the presence of a small number of sexually mature, but silent males. The silent males then intercept females that are attracted to their calling neighbour. Individuals often change to satellite behaviour when strongly calling males are in close proximity.
What is time-sharing calling?
During the intervals between his own calls, one male can space out from another to avoid call overlaps. It provides a clearer guide to females as to the location of each male.
Explain the method of how frogs catch their prey.
Frogs sit and wait until their prey come to them. The frog will face it and if the prey is in range the frog will rapidly capture it with its tongue. Frogs are carnivorous.
Anura characteristics
- Smooth skin, soft and moist with glands
- Breath through lungs, skin or gills when tadpole
- Ectothermic
- External fertilisation
- Adults have 4 limbs and no tails
- Webbed feet with no claws
Explain coloration in frogs
- Cryptic/Camouflage
- Flash coloration
- Aposematic
- Thermoregulation
Explain the frog’s lifecycle
- Eggs are fertilised externally
- Embryo develops
- Tadpole hatching
- New structure (organs, eyes, lungs, legs, tail shorter, …)
- Plant eating =>insect eating
What diferent frog calls are there?
- Advertisement
- Aggressive
- Release call
- Distress call (startling and warning)
What is the ecological role of Amphibians?
- Keep insects at bay
2. Indicator species (permeable skin is very sensitive to pollution
