Return to the Ocean I Flashcards
(40 cards)
What are amphibians?
Tetrapods with aquatic legs
What is true of the amphibian respiratory system?
– Permeable skin and gills
– Lungs (?) (simple sacs divided by ridges, may simply supplement cutaneous respiration)
– positive pressure breathing: buccal pump + elastic recoil
When were marine reptiles succcessful?
In the mesozoic (75-250 mya)
What are examples of marine reptiles?
– Sauropterygians (plesiosaur)
– Ichthyopterygians
– Mosasaurs
– Sea turtles
How many species of marine reptile are there?
<70 extant spp.
– tropical/subtropical
– from 3 orders
What are 2 families in the order Squamata?
– Snakes
– Iguana – 1 sp. (Galapagos)
What is true of snakes of Squamata?
– true sea snakes (~50 spp. – fully marine – ovoviviparity
– sea kraits (~5 spp.) – some terrestrial needs - digestion on land - oviparity
– Highly venomous
– Coastal tropical, Indian & pacific oceans
– Excellent swimmers & divers
How many species are in the order Testudines and what are they?
8
Green, Black, Flatback, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback
What is true of testudines?
– Circumglobal, tropical
– Mainly coastal (except leatherback)
– Good swimmers: foreleg paddles
– Come ashore to lay eggs
– Distinguish spp. by head & shell
What are the 2 species in the Order Crocodylia?
– Crocodylus acutus (American Crocodile)
– Crocodylus porosus (Saltwater Crocodile)
What is true of the Reptilian respiratory system?
– Skin nearly impermeable to O2 (exc. cutaneous respiration in sea snakes)
– Increased reliance on lung as respiratory surface
– Lung volume constant
– Subdivision increases
– Negative pressure breathing (aspiration pump)
What is true of negative pressure breathing (aspiration pump)?
– Uncouples feeding and breathing
– Requires thoracic cavity
What are some marine reptile adaptations?
– usually very good swimmers
– Good divers (esp. turtles)
– Cutaneous respiration (seasnakes)
What is true of cutaneous respiration in seansakes?
– Do not become anaerobic despite up to 2h long dives
– Lung extends full length of body
– Posterior portion oxygen store
– Small, thin scales and flattened body
What is true of salt glands in marine lizards?
– On head
– Empties into nasal cavity
– Ridge prevents re-swallowing
– Sudden exhalation to expel
What is true of salt glands in seasnakes?
– Base of tongie
– Empties into the oral cavity
What is true of salt glands in turtles?
– in orbit of eye
– Empties into posterior corner of orbit
What is true of salt glands in Crocodiles?
Distributed over the surface of the tongue
How many species in the order Sphenisciformes ?
17
What is true of the order Sphenisciformes?
- all seabirds
- southern hemisphere
- flightless
- feet –> rudder
- wings –> fins
How many species in the order Procellariiformes ?
125 spp
What is true of the order Procellariiformes?
– All seabirds
– Tubular nostrils
– good sense of smell
How many species in the order Pelecaniformes ?
65
What is true of the order Pelecaniformes?
– All waterbirds
– All seabirds, except anhingas, some pelicans and some cormorants
– All four toes are webbed
– Salt gland enclosed within orbit
– Nostrils are slit like, nearly closed or absent
