Vert Bio Notes Lecture 17

Front 1

What is the largest group of non-avian reptiles and what do they include?

Back 1

LEPIDOSAURS include 4800 species of lizards, 2900 species of snakes, and 2 species of Tuatara.

Front 2

What are seven Lepidosaur characteristics?

Back 2

1) Transverse cloacal opening
2) Skin shed in sheets
3) Scales make skin impermeable to water
4) Reduction of limbs is common
5) Mostly terrestrial
6) Broad range of habitats and habits
7) Ectothermic

Front 3

What are Sphenodontids, and what do you need to know about them?

Back 3

Sphenodontids are Tuatara (NOT LIZARDS).
There are only 2 extant species.
Live in burrows.
Nocturnal (so adapted to cooler temperatures).
Live in islands off the coast of New Zealand.
Primarily insectivorous (unique dentition).
TSD

Front 4

What are the two major divisions of Squamates?

Back 4

Iguania and Scleroglossa.

Front 5

What are some Squamate characteristics?

Back 5

Determinate Growth.
Limb reduction evolved many times (usually with body elongation).
Ectothermic.

Front 6

In Squamates, what is the trend for Viviparity vs. Oviparity?

Back 6

20% of squamates are viviparous (usually associated with cooler climates).

Front 7

How common is Parthenogenesis in Squamates?

Back 7

6 familes of lizard and 1 snake
(Genetically identical to mother)
(Higher reproductive potential)

Front 8

Is TSD found in snakes or lizards?

Back 8

TSD is not found in snakes, but is known in a few species of lizards.

Front 9

What is some Squamate anti-predatory behavior?

Back 9

Tail autonomy, Cryptic coloration, Aposematic Coloration, and Mimicry of that Aposematic Coloration.

Front 10

What are some Chamaeleonidae characteristics?

Back 10

Specialized arboreal lizard
Zygodactylus feet
Prehensile tail
Laterally compressed
Specialized tongue
Specialized hyoid apparatus
Binocular vision
Typically diurnal
Primarily insectivorous

Front 11

What are Setae?

Back 11

Setae are projections of highly modified scales on Gecko toe pads.

Front 12

What is Helodermatidae?

Back 12

Helodermatidae are two species of beaded lizards.
They have venomous teeth, but are not as effective as snakes' teeth.
They eat mammals, birds, eggs, and lizards.

Front 13

Give an example of Varanidae.

Back 13

A carnivorous, fast moving, Komodo Dragon.

Front 14

Briefly review chapter 17.

Back 14

Briefly review chapter 17.

Front 15

Snakes evolved within ______.

Back 15

Scleroglossa.

Front 16

What are the 2 major divisions of snakes?

Back 16

Scolecophidia and Alethinophidia.

Front 17

What is Scolecophida and what are some of the characteristics of the group?

Back 17

3 Families (~300 species)
Small, fossorial snakes
Shiny scales
Reduced eyes
Traces of pelvic girdle
Snake-like braincase
Eat subterranean insects
Mouth is not terminal

Front 18

What are three major divisions of Alethinophidia and what are some examples of each division?

Back 18

Boidae: Boas and Pythons
Colubroidea: Vipers (split into two groups, Crotalinae and Viperinae).

Both groups are Macrostomata. They eat bigger meals and less often.

Front 19

How many times did the infrared pit evolve?

Back 19

Twice: once in Boidae, and once in Crotalinae. (True vipers [viperinae] do not have pits).

Front 20

What is the Chemoreception organ in snakes?
What do they lack?

Back 20

The Chemoreception organ is the forked tongue.
Snakes lack external and middle ear.

Front 21

What are two types of specialized snake feeding?

Back 21

Ophiophagy (snake eating) and Oophagy (egg eating).

Front 22

What should you know about Dasypeltis?

Back 22

Belongs to family Colubridae
Obligate egg eater
Reduction in number of teeth
Vertebrae have ventral projections

Front 23

What are the three categories of Boidae?

Back 23

Boas (Boinae)
Sand Boas (Erycinae)
Pythons (Pythonidae)

Front 24

What type of birth are ALL BOAS?

Back 24

All boas are viviparous.

Front 25

What type of birth are ALL PYTHONS?

Back 25

All pythons are oviparous.

Front 26

What are the two largest snakes in the world?

Back 26

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Reticulated python (Python reticulates)

Both can reach over 9 meters in length, but Anacondas are heavier Pythons are longer.

Front 27

How many species of venomous snakes are there?

Back 27

228 Viperidae, 300 Elapidae, 18 Atractaspids.

Front 28

What types of toxins are Elapid venoms?

Back 28

Neurotoxins.

Front 29

What types of toxins are Viper venoms?

Back 29

Proteolitic and Hemolytic.

Front 30

What are the three types of fang morphology in snakes?

Back 30

Opisthoglyphous: (Rear-fanged, grooved teeth)
Proteroglyphous (elapids): (Hollow fangs in front; smaller teeth also).
Solenoglyphous (vipers): (Hollow fangs in front are the only teeth)

Front 31

What is the difference between Crotalinae and Viperinae?

Back 31

Crotalines have pits and Viperinae don't.

Front 32

What is the rattle in rattlesnakes?

Back 32

Interlocking segments of keratin.

Front 33

List characteristics of Elapidae.

Back 33

Cobras, mambas, coral snakes & sea snakes.
All are venomous
Slim-bodied with small heads
Active foragers
King Cobra (Longest venomous snake, primarily ophiophagous).

Front 34

What are some characteristics of Sea Snakes?

Back 34

Laterally compressed tail.
Dorsally placed nostrils with valves.
Large ventral scales reduced or absent.
Lung extends back to cloaca.
Hydrostatic balance and buoyancy.
Oxygen uptake through skin.
Most are viviparous.
Most are helpless on land.
Extremely venomous.

Front 35

What are the three main types of Crocodilian Diversity?

Back 35

Alligatoridae: (8 species).
Crocodylidae: (13 species).
Gavialidae: (2 species)

Front 36

What are some characteristics of Gavialidae?

Back 36

Very narrow snouts
Specialized for feeding on fish

Front 37

What are some characteristics of Crocodylidae?

Back 37

Fresh/Saltwater habitats.
Saltwater crocodile is the largest (~7 m).
Hard to find ones that big (due to humans).
4th tooth in lower jaw fits into notch in the upper jaw.

Front 38

What are some characteristics of Alligatoridae?

Back 38

Alligators and caimans.
Freshwater habitats.
Alligators inhabit temperate zones.
Teeth of lower jaw fit into pits in upper jaw.

Front 39

What are some general Crocodilian characteristics?

Back 39

Well developed eyesight, hearing and smell.
Very strong jaw closing, but weak jaw opening.
Ectothermic.
Indeterminate growth.

Front 40

What are the general trends of reproduction and parental care in Crocodilians?

Back 40

All are oviparous.
TSD in all species.
Build nests from vegetation or soil.
Extensive parental care.