Lab 6 Flashcards
(102 cards)
Which species are found within the clade Sauropsida?
turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodilians, birds
How are sauropsids distinguished from other amniotes?
- B-keratin
- reduction or absence of supratemporal bones
Crocodilians have what type of skull?
diapsid skull with additional fenestrae (antorbital fenestrae and mandibular fenestrae in lower jaw)
How are turtles unique? What type of skull do they have and why?
- shell composed of carapace and plastron (fused bony pieces)
- anapsid skull (secondarily lost temporal fenestrae)
What are examples of Squamates?
-lizards and snakes
What do lizards have that snakes don’t?
- lizards have moveable eyelids and external auditory opening
- snakes lack both
Birds have what type of skull?
diapsid skull
Mammals have what type of skull?
Synapsid skull
Anapsid vs Synapsid vs Diapsid skulls
Anapsid: no temporal fenestrae
Synapsid: one temporal fenestrae per side
Diapsid: two temporal fenestrae per side
Skeletal modifications and adaptations of extant sauropsids: Lizards
streptostyly jaw
Skeletal modifications and adaptations of extant sauropsids: Snakes
- pectoral girdle absent
- pelvic girdle absent or reduced to spurs
- zygantra
Skeletal modifications and adaptations of extant sauropsids: Turtles
- sternum absent
- secondary palate in some
- plastron and carapace
- coracoid, procoracoid and scapula of pectoral girdle lie within ribcage
Skeletal modifications and adaptations of extant sauropsids: Crocodiles
- clavicles absent
- secondary palate
- gastralia
- palpebral
Skeletal modifications and adaptations of extant sauropsids: Birds
- teeth absent
- clavicles fused to form furcula
- keeled sternum
- synsacrum
- fusion of forelimb and hindlimb bones
The amniote vertebral column is divided how?
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal region (from cranial to caudal direction)
What is the function of the ribs in amniotes?
muscle attachment, protection of viscera, assist breathing
What do we mean by “true ribs”?
ribs that connect to the sternum
What are scutes? How can they be used for identification purposes?
- keratinized scales that form the outer layer of the shell of the turtle
- number and arrangement of scales are useful characters in identification
What are homologous to reptilian epidermal scutes?
- feathers of birds
- scales on snakes and lizards
Claws evolved from what and when?
a specialization of the epidermis that is not found in amphibians but in higher vertebrates
What are the functions of the scales in reptiles?
- to retain water
- for protection from predators
- allow for movement on land in snakes
What functions might be associated with coloured scales?
- attracting mates
- mimicry to ward off predators (think that they are poisonous)
- camouflage
Function of the sharp ridging on the turtle’s beak?
- since they don’t have teeth, need something to cut through their prey
- can’t extend their tongue to catch prey so instead use their beak
Which parts of the turtle are fused to the bony plates of the carapace? What might this suggest about their evolution?
- fused with endochondral ribs and vertebrae
- carapace is derived from the ribs