Transcript Amphibians!
Amphibians! By Averi, Erica, Ashley,and Azlyn General Characteristics • Habitat- Diverse-found in deserts, swamps, lowland tropical rainforests, above tree line in high mountain areas. • # of species- about 4,200 (changes all the time) • Every amphibian has a larvae stage • Body plan-Bilateral Symmetry • They are cold-blooded Groups of Amphibians • Urodela – Salamanders and newts • Anura – Frogs and toads • Apoda – Caecilians ( long and worm-like) Digestive System • Main organs: esophagus, stomach, and small intestine • Bile: digestive juice made by the liver • Most digestion takes place in small intestine • Food is absorbed into bloodstream • All amphibians have teeth except for toads Respiratory System • • • • Main organs: larynx, lungs, gills, and skin Larynx leads from nostrils to lungs Lungs are filled with capillaries Skin absorbs extra oxygen Circulatory System • Main organs: heart and blood vessels • Heart has two atria and one ventricle • Heart has one atria and ventricle when larvae • Circulatory system carries blood throughout the body Excretory System • Main organs: kidneys, bladder, cloaca, large intestine • Kidneys produce urine which is held in the bladder, and then expelled through the cloaca • Indigested items go through the large intestine, and then pass through the cloaca Response/Nervous System • Nervous system main organs: brain and spinal cord • Brain is enclosed in the skull • Spinal cord is protected by the backbone • Messages are sent from the brain to the body through nerves branching from the spinal cord Skeletal/Muscular System The muscular system provides movement and protection for organs Muscles are attached to the bones by tendons Muscle cells can expand and contract in a frog Muscles work in antagonistic pairs www.livingunderworld.org Reproductive System • Main organs: testes, ovaries, oviducts, sperm ducts, uteri, and cloaca • Ovaries (in females) produce eggs • Testes (in males) produce sperm • The eggs are fertilized externally • From 19 to 30,000 eggs are laid by one female per breeding season Urodela (Salamanders, Newts) • Around 10 families of Salamanders and Newts • Many species are found in Appalachian Mountains Anura (Frogs, Toads) • 22 to 24 families of Frogs and toads • Includes leopard and grass frogs (most commonly known) • Many found in Eastern U.S., but they live pretty much everywhere except polar regions • All toads are actually frogs That are differently adapted Apoda (Caecilians) • Little known • Not found in the U.S. • Limbless, mostly tailless, elongated, tropical amphibians who burrow or swim • Wormlike, with slimy skin • Some have scales • Small or hidden eyes Importance of Amphibians • To Ecosystem – Pest control, food for other animals • To humans – Food, genetic research • They are “nature’s indicator” Bibliography •“Amphibians: Caecilian.” San Diego Zoo. 1 Jan., 2008. Zoo Society of San Diego Zoo. 27 Apr., 2008. <http://www.sandiegozoo.org.> •"Amphibians: Frogs." Amphibians. 1 Jan., 2002. Webspawner. 27 Apr 2008 <http://www.webspawner.com>. •Dorota.”Weird Frog Facts.” All About Frogs.20 Apr. 2006. Frog Land. 27 Apr., 2008 <http://allaboutfrogs.org/> •"Muscular system." Marymount School. 1 Jan., 2002. Marymount School. 27 Apr 2008 <http://www.marymount.k12.ny.us>. •"Natural History." Amphibian Habitat. 1 Jan., 2008. Britannica. 27 Apr 2008 <http://www.britannica.com>. •Savalli, Udo M.. "Vertabrate Diversity." Vertebrate Zoology. 23 Sept., 2007. ASU West. 27 Apr 2008 <http://www.savalli.us>. •"Tennessee Amphibian Monitoring Program." Tennessee.gov. 1 Jan., 2002. Tennessee Wildlife Agency. 27 Apr 2008 <http://state.tn.us>. •"The Amphibians." Mr. Hamley Science. 1 Jan. 2005. San Luis Obispo High School. 27 Apr 2008 <http://slohs.slcusd.org>. Resources