BIOL 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Crocodilia, Alligatoridae, Gavialidae
Document Summary
Crocodylia: alligators and crocodiles, sister taxa to birds, 23 species, ancient lineage (170 mya, aquatic, elongate snout, powerful jaws, laterally compressed tail, carnivorous, reproduction: Males establish territories that include multiple females (often ends in violent interactions with other males) Temperature determines sex of children: vocalization (males and young): most vocal of all diapsids except birds, parental care up to 2 years: Mom can carry babies around in mouth or on her head: feeding: Teeth are used only for holding and grasping. Prey is swallowed whole: shore basking, alligatoridae (alligators and caimans): Primarily found in new world (one in china: crocodylidae (crocodiles): Notch in upper jaw to accommodate lower tooth. Found in old and new world: gavialidae (gharial = gavial): Resurgence of dinosaur research in 1970s, led to theory that birds are descendants of dinosaurs: dominant animal for over 160 million years:
