1. Mudpuppy
Necturus maculosis

2. Evolution of amphibians
Evolved approximately 400 mya
Swamp dwellers
Retain fish like characteristics
Large range in size, newts to crocs
Water  land, gills  lungs, fins  limbs
Tetrapods – 4 legs

3. Reason for evolution Change environment due to
Drying up of water sources
Find better sources of water
Found more food on land
Escape from enemies

4. Class: Amphibian Characteristics
Lay eggs in water, no protection from drying out
Gills as larvae, lungs as adult
Moist, thin skin, produce mucous
Lack claws
Internal nares, oxygen enters mouth lining when mouth is closed
Sharp sense of hearing and smelling
External fertilization
Pigmentation due to chromatophores, change color
Cold blood, 3 chambered heart

5. 3 major orders Anura – frogs and toad, without tails
Urodela - salamanders, newts, have tails
Apoda – caecilians – borrow, legless, rare

6. Mudpuppy classification
Kingdom – animal
Phylum – chordata
Sub phylum – vertebrate
Class – amphibian
Order – urodela
Family – proteridae
Genus – Necturus
species - maculosis

7. Mudpuppy Characteristics
Neotony – retention of larval characteristics
External gills throughout life, 3 pair
Life span approximately 20 years
5 years – sexual maturity
8 – 17 inches in length
Lungs are hydrostatic organs
Balance and flotation
Cartilaginous skull
Lack eyelids
Internal fertilization, external development, oviparous
No drastic metamorphosis