Reptiles (Non-Avian) Flashcards
Define Anapsid, Diapsid and Synapsid skulls
No openings, 2 openings, 1 opening
What are the 4 extraembryonic membranes in amniotic eggs
Amnion - first layer
Yolk sac - nutrition
Allantois-
Chorion-
What is unique about reptilian skin?
Thick and not very absorbent
Keratin is very present
Small bony plates called osteoderms below scales
What type of breathing is used by reptiles
No diaphragm, uses a negative pressure system
What is important about reptilian jaws?
Very adapted
Mobile and muscular tongues
Describe the reptilian cardiovascular system
2 atria - in all but birds & crocodilians the ventricle is incompletely divided
What is unique about reptile excretion?
Uric acid, uses little water and is very concentrated
Amphibians excrete urea/ammonia
What is the nictitating membrane?
Acts as a 3rd eyelid to moisten eye in species where eyelid is fused
Define jacobsons organ
Olfactory organ used to detect pheromones
What is a pit organ
Heat sensing organ found in the ‘pit’ of some snakes
What are the 4 clades of non avian reptiles
Chelonia - Turtles
Squamata - lizards/snakes
Sphenodontia - tuatara
Crocodylia
What are the parts of a turtle shell?
Carapace - dorsal portion of shell
Plastron - Ventral part of shell
8 Cervical vertebrae that allows head to be drawn into shell
What is unique about squamate skulls?
Kinetic skull - modified from diapsid
Snake skulls are able to move their jaws halves separate from eachother to expand mouth and ‘walk’ food back
What is the intromittent organ?
Used by males to introduce sperm to the female
and a paired hemipenes at base of tail that erects by turning inside out
What is the structure of fangs within snakes?
Connected via the hinged maxillary bone
Modified salivary glands form the venom glands
