1. Vertebrate Characteristics

2. Classification Review
Taxonomy - classifying organisms based on similarities and differences - assigning each organism a universally accepted name.
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
In order from most general to most specific
Acronym - Kings Play Chess On Fine Gold Squares
Carolus Linnaeus

3. Classification of Vertebrates
Phylum: Chordata
Common Characteristics: notochord, pharyngeal gill slits, hollow dorsal nerve cord
Lancelet
Tunicate
b. Sub-phylum: Vertebrata
Common Characteristics: backbone that supports and protects spinal cord, endoskeleton, distinct head with skull and brain

4. Part A: Overview of Vertebrate Classes
Fish - aquatic vertebrates that are characterized by scales, fins and pharyngeal gills. There are 3 main groups: jawless, cartilaginous and bony. Ex. Lamprey, dogfish shark, perch.
Amphibians - vertebrates that are aquatic as larvae and terrestrial as adults. They breathe with lungs as adults, have a moist skin with glands and lack scales and claws. Ex. Frog, salamander, newt.
Reptiles - vertebrates that have lungs, scaly skin and a special type of egg (amniotic). They live entire life out of water. Ex. Snake, lizard, turtle.
Birds - endothermic, reptile-like vertebrates with feathers, two legs used for walking and perching and wings that usually don’t have claws. Ex. Pigeon, hawk, eagle.
Mammals - endothermic animals with fur or hair, and mammary glands that produce milk to nourish young. Almost all give birth to live young. Ex. Human, whale, fetal pig.

5. Total Vertebrate Species: 62,305 (4.5%)
Part A: Overview of Vertebrate Classes
Total Animal Species: 1,367,555
Total Vertebrate Species: 62,305 (4.5%)

6. Part B: Important Evolutionary Advances
Jaws in Fishes
Fish are considered to be the most primitive living vertebrate.
The first fishes to be found in abundance in the fossil record were jawless. These are limited to eating small particles of food by filter-feeding and vacuum suction.
The evolution of jaws in fishes made it possible for them to eat plants and other animals and defend themselves by biting.
Strength of Skeleton in Amphibians
Amphibians probably evolved from lobe-finned fishes. These organisms faced many challenges transitioning from water to land.
The first amphibians had strong limb bones and girdles for movement unsupported by water.
The ribs formed a cage that supports and protects the internal organs.

7. c. Eggs
Reptiles evolved from amphibians when climatic changes caused destruction of amphibian habitat.
Reptilian eggs are surrounded by a shell and several membranes that create a protected environment for the embryo.
These “amniotic eggs” contain nutrient-rich yolk used by the embryo for food.

8. d. Internal Temperature Control
Fish, amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic. The have an internal body temperature that varies with external (environmental conditions) due to a slow metabolism.
Birds and mammals are endothermic. They maintain a relatively high and constant internal body temperature that is regulated internally due to a fast metabolism.
This adaptation is very important for animals living in habitats where temperatures and seasons are variable.
Polar Bear
Iguana
Penguin

11. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Feeding and Digestion

12. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Feeding and Digestion
Herbivorous Digestive Systems
Carnivorous Digestive Systems
- Eat constantly
- Teeth and jaw adapted to breaking down cellulose - Long coiled digestive system which helps break down plant material
- Microbes and specialized organs to assist with digestion
- Eat less frequently
- Shorter digestive system
- Tongue, teeth and jaw adapted to catch, chew and swallow meat
BENEFITS:
Obtains energy efficiently from plants
Generally food is readily available
High calorie content in meat

13. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Feeding and Digestion

14. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Feeding and Digestion

15. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Respiration

16. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Respiration
Gills: Oxygen rich water is pumped over gill filaments where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen poor water is pushed out through openings in the sides of the pharynx.

17. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Respiration
Alveoli: Final branchings of the respiratory tree and act as the primary gas exchange units of the lung. The gas-blood barrier between the alveolar space and the pulmonary capillaries is extremely thin, allowing for rapid gas exchange.

18. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Respiration

19. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Respiration
Similarities
Differences
Lungs present in most vertebrate classes - adult amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
Gas exchange occurs in lungs
Gills present in fish and amphibian larva
Amphibians exchange gas through skin
Air sac in birds allow for one way flow of air
Diaphragm in mammals increases volume of lungs
Benefits
Lungs are more efficient than gills or skin gas exchange
More surface area= more efficient

20. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Circulation
Single – Loop Circulation: Blood is carried in one loop: the heart to the gills, then to the body.
Double – Loop Circulation: Blood is carried in two loops: one loop carries blood between the heart and the lungs, the second loop carries blood between the heart and the body.

21. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Circulation
Heart Chambers: Provide a multiple step pathway for blood to be sent to the lungs for respiration and dispensed to the body's cells.

22. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Circulation

23. Deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells and remove wastes.
Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Circulation
DOUBLE LOOP
One loop carries oxygen poor blood from heart to lungs and oxygen rich blood from lungs to the heart. The other loop carries oxygen rich blood from heart to rest of body and oxygen poor blood from the body to the heart.
Amphibian Adults and Reptiles: 3 chambers in heart but less efficient due to single ventricle.
Birds and Mammals: 4 chambers in heart. Complete separation of oxygen rich and oxygen poor blood= most efficient.
SINGLE LOOP
Closed system from heart to gills, from gills to the rest of the body and back to heart.
Fish and Amphibian Larva: Two chambers in heart.
Deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells and remove wastes.

24. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Reproduction
Oviparous: a vertebrate that lays eggs that develop outside the mothers body.
Ovoviviparous: a vertebrate whose eggs develop inside the mother’s body but are not nourished directly by the mother’s body.
Viviparous: a vertebrate who bears live young and directly nourishes the unborn young by the mother’s body.

25. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Reproduction

26. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Reproduction

27. Part C: Comparing Structure and Function
Reproduction
External Fertilization
Internal Fertilization
Benefits
Large number of offspring produced
No specialized reproductive structures needed
With attention and maternal care, high percentage of offspring survive
Drawbacks
Low percentage of offspring survive with no parental care, eggs lost to predators
Only small number of offspring produced
Need specialized reproductive structures