Reptilia subclasses Flashcards
What subclass has turtles and tortoise? meaning?
Testudines - tortoise
What are the characteristics of Testudines
-body in bony case of dorsal carapace and ventral plastron
-jaw with horny beak instead of teeth
-vertebrae & ribs fused to overlying carapace
-neck retractable
-tongue not extensible
What organisms are in Testudines
turtles & tortoise
What subclass has snakes, lizards, and worm lizards? Meaning?
Squamata - scale to bear
What are the characteristics of Squamata
-skin (that are shed) of horny epidermal scale or plates
-paired copulatory organs
What organisms are in Squamata
snakes, lizards, and worm lizards
What is the subclass with tuatara? Meaning?
Sphenodontida - wedge tooth
What are characteristics of Sphenodontida
-primitive skull
-vertebrae biconcave
-median parietal eye present
What organism in Sphenodontida
tuatara
What is the subclass with crocodilians? Meaning?
Crocodilia - crocodile
What are characteristics of the subclass Crocodilia
-skull elongate & massive
-secondary palate present
-terminal nares
-4 chambered heart
What organism is in the subclass Crocodilia
crocodilians
Which reptile is the most primitive?
Sphenodontida - tuatara
What is the most advanced reptile?
Crocodilia - crocodile
