AMPHIBIANS

What is an amphibian? Vertebrate Leads a “double life” Moist skin Metamorphosis

Evolution of Amphibians Bones became stronger Many have lungs to breath air Limbs to walk on land

History Carboniferous Period = Age of Amphibians Only 3 groups survive today - salamanders, frogs, and caecilians

Feeding Larva (tadpoles) are usually herbivores Adults are usually carnivores

Respiration Larva (tadpoles) breath with gills Adult frogs have lungs Some amphibians keep gills all their life, mudpuppy

Circulation Heart is a double loop, with 3 chambers and a ventricle that is partly divided

Reproduction Frogs lay eggs, fertilization is external Larva are aquatic

METAMORPHOSIS Series of changes that occur as an organism grows

Amphibian Groups Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Amphibia Order Urodela Order Anura Order Apoda

See videos at om/video/player/animals/index.ht ml