Vertebrate Anatomy Flashcards
amphicoelous vertebrae
vertebrae are concave at both ends
opisthocoelous vertebrae
concave at the caudal end
procoelous vertebrae
concave at the cranial end
diapophysis
part of spine that articulates with the tuberculum of the rib dorsally
parapophysis
part of the spine that articulates with the capitulum of the rib ventrally
glenoid fossa
articulates with the humerus
acetabulum
portion of the pelvic girdle which articulates with the femur
firmisternal pectoral girdle
sternum is fused to the pectoral arch and the epicoracoidal cartilages of each half of the girdle or fused to one another
sesamoid bone
Prepollex. Replaces the first digit in anurans. Males use this during coitus
intercalary element
a bone which separates the terminal and penultimate bones in the digit. Found in hylindae
what bones form the otic capsule
prootic and opisthotic
chromatophores
specialized cells where the pigment of the skin is held. In the dermis
melanophores
predominant type of epidermal chromatophores containing melanins. epidermal chromatophores are lost in adults generally
three types of dermal chromatophores
xanthophores, iridophores, melanophores
xanthophores
aka erythrophores. most superficial. Cause yellow, red and orange to be displayed
iridophores
beneath the xanthophores and produce a white/silvery appearance. Often show up as a blue colour
melanophores
primary pigment is a brownish colour
syndactyly
two or more digits are fused together
plantigrade locomotion
ventral surface of manus and pes is in contact with substrate during walking or running
cursorial locomotion
running locomotion used in catching prey and escaping predators. Animals which use this typically have long limbs and motion in one plane only
saltatorial
jumping locomotion in which all four legs are used to jump
ricochetal
jumping locomotion in which only the hind limbs are used to jump
Amphibious/semiaquatic mammals
least amount of adaptations for life in the water. otters, beavers, muskrats
aquatic mammals
spend most of their amount of time in the water but can come on land to breed. Their fore and hindlimbs are modified into flippers which can bear weight on land but used for propulsion in water. seals, sealions, walruses.