FORS2355 Vertebrate Natural History -- Amphibians Lab Video (September 12, 2021)
Herpetologists measure length of amphibians in two ways:
1. Total Length (tip of the mouth to the tip of the tail); Snout length is the more standard length. 2. SVL and total length are the same.
(A)
Total length
B
SVL and total length are the same
Order Gymnophiona - Caecilians
206 species Limbless Annuli Fossorial or aquatic Restricted to tropics
Order Caudata - Salamanders
740 species Lizard-like bodies with tail present Longitudinal vent Costal grooves can help ID salamanders -- functionally important because it allows them to breathe through their own skin = oxygen exchange; skin is permeable and therefore aid in water absorption to increase surface area and from a taxonomic perspective, you can count the number of costal grooves and is a good diagnostic feature for that species (indentations on the side of the body). Measure SVL to the posterior end of the cloaca on salamanders.
Salamander Larvae -- they do not go through a huge change in morphology during development. Larvae have a much longer tail than adults.
Salamander Larvae
Order Anura - Frogs and Toads [Anura = without a tail (a= without)]
Around 7200 species Lack a hind tail Four limbs o 4 digits on forelimbs o5 digits on hindlimbs Well-developed eyelids
Tadpoles -- short body with a very elongated tail. Comapred to the adults, the mouth is an oral disc of a tadpole. They have tooth rows on the upper jaw and act like sandpaper which help eat them eat algae Very different morphology compared to adult frogs.
Tadpoles
Some male frogs have nuptial pads & colored ocal sacs
Male frogs use nuptial pads for mating purposes. When a male is mating with a female, they will use the pads to hold on to the body. Can use visual cues (vocal sacs) to attract females.
Amphiumas
Class -- Amphibia Order - Caudata Family -- Amphiumidae Long, dark-colored and eel-like; aquatic Reduced pelvic and pectoral girdles; 2 pairs of vestigial limbs Single pair of gill slits Also have lungs Lack eyelids
Sirens
- Class:Amphibia Order:Caudata FamilySirenidae
- Long, dark colored and el-like Aquatic Reduced front limbs 4 toes per limb - Rear legs absent External, lacy gills Also have lungs Lack eyelids
Sirens
Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family Sirenidae Long, dark colored and eel like; aquatic Reduced front limbs; 4 toes per limb .: Rear legs, absent External, lacy gills Have lungs Lack