Turtles, Mammals & Birds
Vertebrate Ancestry Revisited
Tetrapoda
Class Amphibia Quadrupedal Controversy surrounding ancestor Lungfish? Lobe-finned Rhipidistian? Coelocanth?
Amphibian Characteristics Webbed feet No claws Moist skin Metamorphosis
Amphibian Taxonomy Class Amphibia Order Gymnophiona Caecilians Order Caudata Salamanders and Newts Order Anura Toads and Frogs
Amniotes
Chorion Gas exchange and blood vessels Amnion Sac enclosing embryo Allantois Gas diffusion and waste excretion Yolk sac Food
Classification of Amniotes Temporal fenestrae
Class Reptilia Order Crocodilia Crocodiles, caimans and alligators Order Rhynchocephalia Tuataras Order Squamata Lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids Order Testudines Turtles
Reptilian Characteristics Ectothermic Scales Oviparous 3-chambered heart Sexual Reproduction
Turtle History Triassic deposits Oldest fossils 210 MY Marine: 120 MY Archelon Largest turtle Cheyenne River, SD Archelon
Order Testudines Characteristics
Turtle Taxonomy Class Reptilia Subclass Anapsida Order Testudines Family Cheloniidae Marine Turtles Family Dermochelyidae Leatherback Turtle