SLE204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Heterodont, Anapsid, Abdominal Cavity

• School: Deakin University
• Department: Science, Engineering and Built Environment
• Course: SLE204
• Professor: Anneke Veenstra

Document Summary

Characteristics of reptiles: amniotic egg with calcareous shell (for protection from dessication) embryo can develop away from water, tough, dry, scaly skin. Thin epidermis; highly keritanised scales reduce water loss, protects against dessication and injury. Thick dermis with melanophores: ectothermic, very muscular jaws (kinetic) with teeth increased bite force and gape allows. Internal fertilization do(cid:374)"t (cid:374)eed water to reprodu(cid:272)e them to take down large, struggling prey: advanced nervous system larger cerebrum great eyesight; improved sensory perception. * ja(cid:272)o(cid:271)so(cid:374)"s orga(cid:374) olfactory organ: efficient circulatory system separate flow patterns to prevent mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Improved lung ventilation - negative pressure breathing (sucks in air: efficient kidneys to conserve water nitrogenous waste eliminated as uric acid, strong skeleton strong pectoral and pelvic girdles limbs can support animal on land. Amnion (cid:894)(cid:862)the po(cid:374)d(cid:895)(cid:863) surrounds embryo; creates a fluid- filled cavity where embryo develops. Chorion protective membrane around egg; gas exchange storage; gas exchange (urinary bladder in adult) gas exchange.