BIOL 3300 Vertebrate Zoology: Ectotherms - Herpetology

Open with Prayer Take attendance Course Page (in ADDITION to Canvas) – Syllabus – Calendar Grade permission forms Nuts and Bolts …

What is a “herp”? “These foul and loathsome animals… are abhorrent because their cold body, pale color, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; and so their Creator has not exerted His power to make many of them.” Carl von Linne Systema Naturae

Linneaus was wrong about herpetofauna in more ways than one… How? – 1) – 2) – 3) What is a “herp”? _lives/poison-dart_frogs.php

Herpetofauna have important roles in history and culture… ∆ Come up with a fairy tale, myth, cultural function for a “herp” of your choice… Herpetofauna have important roles in modern science Why are “herps” important?

_____ is perhaps most distinguishing feature… Is it “primitive”, plesiomorphic or ancestral? Attributes: Who are they?

~____ species Occur in diverse habitats Complex life histories Attributes: Who are they?

(>______ species) Occur in diverse habitats Complex life histories Various body forms Attributes: Who are they? © A. Reitsma, Aquarium of the Pacific

(~___ species) Tropical distribution Fossorial - secretive Attributes: Who are they?

Figure 1.2 A sampling of adult body forms in living amphibians.

___ is a key feature again, but a snynapomorphy compared to Lissamphibia Attributes: Who are they?

~____ species Distinct “morphs” Limited diversity Attributes: Who are they? Encarta Website

~___ species Nearly all are endangered Diversity of size, not morphology More closely related to ? than other “reptiles” Attributes: Who are they?

___ species All are endangered Very limited distribution Very slow growing (comparable to humans) Attributes: Who are they? arthursclipart.org

~ _______ species All lizards… but two suborders! __________ evolved numerous times Diversity of habitats, size, and to some degree morphology Attributes: Who are they?

Figure 1.3 A sampling of adult body forms in living reptiles.

Which do you prefer? – Blame Linneaus! Plesiomorphies! If so diverse… why grouped?