Mudpuppy Necturus maculosis

Evolution of amphibians Evolved approximately 400 mya Swamp dwellers Retain fish like characteristics Large range in size, newts to crocs Water  land, gills  lungs, fins  limbs Tetrapods – 4 legs

Reason for evolution Change environment due to Drying up of water sources Find better sources of water Found more food on land Escape from enemies

Class: Amphibian Characteristics Lay eggs in water, no protection from drying out Gills as larvae, lungs as adult Moist, thin skin, produce mucous Lack claws Internal nares, oxygen enters mouth lining when mouth is closed Sharp sense of hearing and smelling External fertilization Pigmentation due to chromatophores, change color Cold blood, 3 chambered heart

3 major orders Anura – frogs and toad, without tails Urodela - salamanders, newts, have tails Apoda – caecilians – borrow, legless, rare

Mudpuppy classification Kingdom – animal Phylum – chordata Sub phylum – vertebrate Class – amphibian Order – urodela Family – proteridae Genus – Necturus species - maculosis

Mudpuppy Characteristics Neotony – retention of larval characteristics External gills throughout life, 3 pair Life span approximately 20 years 5 years – sexual maturity 8 – 17 inches in length Lungs are hydrostatic organs Balance and flotation Cartilaginous skull Lack eyelids Internal fertilization, external development, oviparous No drastic metamorphosis