Amphibians The double life

Origin and Evolution of Amphibians Lobe – finned fish Bone structure within their fins allowed for them to function as “legs” Modified pouches in digestive tract evolved into lungs of the lungfish and swim bladder of modern fish Amphibians also share skull and vertebral column

Lobed – finned fish: Coelocanth

Oldest amphibian fossils were dated to 360 m.y.a Between 359 – 299 m.y.a amphibians split into two main evolutionary lines Modern amphibians Ancestors of reptiles

Classification Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Amphibia, 4500 species Order Anura, largest order contains the frogs and toads Order Caudata, contains salamanders Order Gymnophiona, contains caecilians

Order Anura Frogs and toads (squat bodies, shorter legs, skin not as smooth as frog) Found in a variety of moist habitats Adults are carnivorous Reproduction Amplexus Metamorphosis

Life Cycle Fertilization takes place Eggs hatch, tadpole lives off yolk stored in its body Tadpole grows larger, three gills develop Mouth opens, begins to feed on algae Tadpole grows slowing changing from an aquatic larva into an adult May vary depending on species

Metamorphosis Process of change from an egg to larva to adult Triggered by the hormone thyroxine that is produced by the thyroid gland

Order Caudata Salamanders, newts, mudpuppies Elongated tails, and smooth, moist skin Lay eggs in water or moist places Both young and adult are carnivorous Hatchlings are small versions of parent except young have gills

Order Gymnophiona Caecilians Legless amphibians Live in tropical areas, burrow in the soil, also aquatic Lay eggs or young are born alive

Characteristics of Amphibians Five key characteristics; legs, lungs, double – loop circulation, 3 - chambered heart, cutaneous respiration Live in moist habitats Mostly external fertilization

Movement Skeleton Strong endoskeleton Vertebrae of the spine is interlocked to form a rigid structure Limbs support body Forelimbs attach to the pectoral girdle (shoulder) Hind limbs attach to the pelvic girdle Transfers body weight to the limbs Frogs, lower limbs are fused into a single bone Forelimb (radio – ulna) and hind limb (tibiofibula)

Response Sense Organs Lateral line as larvae Sight, sound, smell Nictitating membrane Transparent membrane that covers eyes Tympanic membrane Eardrum

Respiration Gills, most loose as adults Skin serves two important functions – respiration and protection Cutaneous respiration Diffusion Mucous glands Pulmonary respiration

Pulmonary Respiration Pump air into lungs in a process called positive – pressure breathing Frog breathes by changing the volume and pressure of air in its mouth while either opening or closing its nostrils

Circulation Three chambered heart and double – looped circulation Increase pressure and speed of delivery for oxygen rich blood to organs Divided into two separate loops

Two separate loops Pulmonary circulation Systemic circulation Carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart Systemic circulation Carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and back to the heart

Three chambered heart Right and Left Atrium (septum divides) Ventricle (spongy surface and contraction) Deoxygenated blood enters from the body, right atrium Oxygenated blood enters from the lungs, left atrium Contraction of the atria forces blood into a single ventricle Ventricle contracts pushes all of the blood into the conus arteriosus, which directs the blood to the lungs or the body