Class Reptilia
General Characteristics Bilateral Symmetry Scales Respiration with lungs Dioecious Internal fertilization
Ectothermic Cold Blooded Regulate body temp with external environment Amniotic eggs
Amniotic Egg – “a transferable pond”
The Incredible Edible Amniotic Egg! Allows for reproduction on dry land!! Protects embryo from dessication Amnion (nutritious fluid) keeps egg from drying out Contains a water and food supply for the developing embryo and can be laid on land. Must be fertilized internally, has a shell
Amniotic Egg Cont. Amnion : provides a watery environment for the embryo Yolk: contains the food for the embryo Allantois : connects the embryo to the yolk Chorion : allows oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to leave; gas exchange
Benefit of egg: Animals are no longer dependent on water to reproduce
Reptilia Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Reptilia Order…
3 Major Orders Order Testudines Order Squamata Order Crocodilia
Order Testudines Turtles – sidenecks and “hidden neck” 225 species Have bony shells called carapace that CANNOT be removed!!
Reproduction/aging Sexual maturity at 7-8 years Live 14+ years Galapagos tortoises can live to be 100
Turtles vs. Tortoises Tortoises are terrestrial Tortoises lack webbing between feet
Order Squamata Has 2 sub-orders Sub-order Sauria Sub-order Serpentes
Size: a few cm up to 3 meters long Sub-Order Sauria Lizards 3,300 species 2 Pairs of legs Size: a few cm up to 3 meters long
Only 2 venomous lizards worldwide Gila monster Mexican Beaded (Monitor?)
Sub-Order Serpentes Venomous snakes have a pit organ 2300 species Many produce venom 30 to 40,000 deaths per year >100 in the US Venomous snakes have a pit organ Pit Organ: Heat-sensitive organ on the head of snakes used to locate small endothermic prey
Can have 200+ vertebrae
Order Crocodilia Crocodiles 21 species Mostly unchanged in their 170 MY history 4 chambered heart Caiman
Prey swallowed whole May tear off pieces of too large prey by biting and rolling Provide extensive parental care (NEW!!!!)