1. Amphibians and Reptiles

2. Amphibians Classification/ Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata: Has a backbone
Superclass: Tetrapoda: Means 4 footed
Class: Amphibia

3. Basic Characteristics of Amphibians
Tetrapod vertebrates
Most live in terrestrial, forest, damp or freshwater aquatic ecosystems
Most go through metamorphosis during their life- cycle
Require water in order to reproduce
Ectothermic

4. 3 Orders of Amphibians Order Anura: Frogs and Toads
Anura means “without tail”
Webbed toes
No claws or tails
Large eyes
Moist skin that many of them breath through

5. Order Caudata: Salamanders and Newts
Resemble lizards but do not have scales (have smooth skin)
Lack claws
Tails are flat or finned
Range in size from 0.8 inches (Mexican Thorius Pennatulus) to 1.8 meters (Chinese Giant Salamander)

6. Order Gymnophiona: Caecilians
Long, limbless snake/worm-like animals
Grow to be between 3 cm and 4.9 feet long
Most live underground in damp soil

7. Amphibian Skin (Integumentary System)
Most shed a thin outside layer of their skin periodically-molting
Skin allows water in and out
Gas exchange can occur through their skin (breathes through skin)
Have mucus glands that produce foul tasting or poisonous toxins to ward off predators.
Many amphibians have chromatophore pigments and can change their skin color but it happens slowly. The color change is controlled by hormones.

8. Skeletal System Similar to other tetrapods 4 limbs (except caecilians)
Bones are hollow and light weight
Bones are fully ossified with Calcium
Have 4 toes on the front feet and 5 toes on the back feet.

9. Life Cycle/ Reproduction
Most amphibians go through metamorphosis.
1. Most frogs have external fertilization while salamanders and caecilians have internal fertilization.
2. Eggs are jelly-like and must be laid in water to prevent drying out
3. Eggs develop into larva/ tadpoles that live in the water and have gills and tails
4. Arms and legs of tadpole grow as tail reduces in size by reabsorption (it does not fall off)
5. Lungs Develop

10. Other Amphibian Characteristics
Amphibians are predators using their tongue to catch prey. Their diet is mostly small insects like beetles, caterpillars, earthworms and spiders.
Frogs are vocal during mating season with the male “calling out” to attract females.
Some frogs produce toxins and have a warning coloration to warn potential predators.

11. Reptiles

12. Reptile Classification and Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Common Characteristics
Tetrapod
Has scales covering their skin
Ectothermic
Shed their skin periodically as they grow

13. 4 Subgroups of Reptiles Testudines: Turtles, Terrapins and Tortoises
Bony or cartilaginous shell that develops from the ribcage
Live in water
Terrapins
Have shell
Smaller than most turtles
Tortoises
Live on land

14. Sphenodonita: Tuatara
Only found in New Zealand
Only 2 living species of Tuatara are left
Similar to lizards but evolved separately

15. Squamata: Lizards and snakes
Approximately 6,000 species
Have feet and external ears
Tails can detach and regrow
Snakes
Legless
Skulls have many joints so they can swallow large prey

16. Crocodilia: Crocodiles, Gavials, Caimans and Alligators
More narrow head than Alligators and Caimans
Upper and lower jaw are the same width
Can see all of their teeth on the outside when they close their mouth
Gavials: Have a long narrow snout
Caimans: Smaller and are closely related to alligators
Alligators
Only 2 living species: American and Chinese Alligators
Lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw
Teeth fit into grooves when they close their mouth so you cannot see their teeth when they close it

17. Reptile Body Systems Circulatory System Respiration Digestion
3 chambered heart
Ectothermic
Respiration
Breaths using lungs
Aquatic turtles have permeable skin
Digestion
Most reptiles are insectivores or carnivores
Short digestive tract because meat is easy to break down

18. Reproduction
Most reptiles have sexual reproduction though a few species can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis.
Reptiles are oviparous and have internal fertilization. The females then lay the fertilized egg.
Amniotic Egg: egg is covered with leathery or calcified shell that:
Protects the embryo
Keeps it from drying out
Yolk nourishes embryo
Allows for gas exchange.