Transcript BIOL 3300 Vertebrate Zoology: Ectotherms

BIOL 3300 Vertebrate Zoology:
Ectotherms - Herpetology
http://www.amphibian.com.au/
Nuts and Bolts …
• Open with Prayer
• Take attendance
• Course Page (in ADDITION to Canvas) –
http://people.nnu.edu/jocossel/BIOL3300/
• Syllabus
– Calendar
• Grade permission forms
What is a “herp”?
“These foul and loathsome animals… are
abhorrent because their cold body, pale color,
cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce
aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh
voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom;
and so their Creator has not exerted His
power to make many of them.”
Carl von Linne. 1758. Systema Naturae
What is a “herp”?
• Linneaus was wrong about herpetofauna in
more ways than one…
How?
– 1)
– 2)
– 3)
http://www.calacademy.org/science_now/wild
_lives/poison-dart_frogs.php
Why are “herps” important?
• Herpetofauna have important roles in history
and culture…
∆ Come up with a fairy tale, myth, cultural
function for a “herp” of your choice…
• Herpetofauna have important roles in
modern science
Who are they?
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• _____ is perhaps most distinguishing feature…
Is it “primitive”, plesiomorphic or
ancestral?
• Attributes:
Who are they?
•
• ~____ species
• Occur in diverse habitats
• Complex life histories
• Attributes:
Who are they?
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(>______ species)
Occur in diverse habitats
Complex life histories
Various body forms
• Attributes:
© A. Reitsma, Aquarium of the Pacific
Who are they?
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• (~___ species)
• Tropical distribution
• Fossorial - secretive
• Attributes:
Figure 1.2 A sampling of adult body forms in living amphibians.
Who are they?
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• ___ is a key feature again, but a
snynapomorphy compared to Lissamphibia
• Attributes:
Who are they?
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• ~____ species
• Distinct “morphs”
• Limited diversity
• Attributes:
Encarta Website
Who are they?
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~___ species
Nearly all are endangered
Diversity of size, not morphology
More closely related to ? than other “reptiles”
• Attributes:
http://www.dinara.gub.uy
Who are they?
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___ species
All are endangered
Very limited distribution
Very slow growing (comparable to humans)
• Attributes:
arthursclipart.org
Who are they?
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• ~ _______ species
• All lizards… but two suborders!
__________ evolved numerous times
• Diversity of habitats, size, and to some degree
morphology
• Attributes:
http://barbadosfreepress.wordpress.com
Figure 1.3 A sampling of adult body forms in living reptiles.
If so diverse… why grouped?
• Which do you prefer?
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• Blame Linneaus!
• Plesiomorphies!