Amphibians Flashcards
(49 cards)
What are 4 characteristics of amphibians?
Non-amniotic eggs
Non keratinized (lacking fur, scales, feathers, claws- except clawed frog and bills)
Ectothermic
Skin permeable to water and gases
Do amphibian eggs have shells?
No
Define ectothermic
Using the environment to regulate body temperature
Behavioral regulation chooses the locality within the habitat
Why do amphibians require water and moist conditions?
Because their skin is highly permeable to water and gases
Makes the susceptible to air and water pollutants
Why do spade foot toads have a spade?
Because they live in harsh environments like deserts as adults and dig down into substrate to keep cool
Name some environments amphibians can be found in
Ponds Lakes Streams Riparian zones Forests Deserts Tropical forests
What are warts on toads?
Tiny poison glands
Costal grooves
Refers to visible rib-like structures and can vary in number and visibility depending on species
Grooves along side flanks of salamanders
Evolutionary purpose is currently unknown
What are parotid glands and why are they usually easily visible?
Parotid glands are poison glands
Visible to ward off predators
What do bright colours usually represent in amphibians?
That they are poisonous
Don’t need camouflage as much because the bright colours warn that they are poisonous
What I an aposematic pose?
A display of parotid glands or bright colours to ward of predators
Shown by rough skinned newt lifting. Front end to show bright belly
What is a common measurement of amphibians?
Snout- vent length
Snout tympanum
What is a naso-labial groove?
Grooves from the nostrils to the mouth that have a capillary action to draw up moisture for chemical information processing
Why isn’t the tail if a salamander often measured?
Because the tail can fall off and be regrown so measurement an be inaccurate
Tail is difficult to straighten
How do frogs breathe?
Through their mouth(lungs)
Through their skin(mucus keeps skin moist to facilitate oxygen uptake)
- subcutaneous
Which glands produce poison?
Granular glands in the dermis under the epidermis
Larger than mucous glands?
Do frogs drink?
Not through their mouths
They absorb water through their skin like through a thin and absorbent belly patch that is close to the ground and therefore the water source.
Describe the western red-backed salamander including Latin name
Plethodon vehiculum Lungless terrestrial salamander Long,skinny and flat(large surface to volume ratio) Red dorsal stripe Short legs
An aquatic salamander with gills
Mudpuppy
Aquatic salamander with lungs and folds of skin
Hellbender
Not local
Why is the species name “vehiculum” given to the western red-backed salamander?
In the mating ritual the male gives the female a ride on his tail
Do frogs and salamanders in bc exhibit any parental care for offspring?
No frogs
Some salamanders
What 2 behaviors are common in mating rituals?
Call
Dances
What kinds of of fertilization and reproductive modes are found in class Amphibia?
Internal (cloaca) External Oviparous (egg laying) Oviviparous (internal egg hatching) Viviparous (live birth)
