Zoology: Ch. 12 Reptiles

caimans

crocodilians that are native to Central America and South America but have been introduced in Florida

yolk sac

egg membrane which encloses the yolk

allantois

egg membrane which stores metabolic wastes produced by the embryo

three

number of heart chambers in most reptiles

chameleons

A group of arboreal lizards, mostly of Africa and Madagascar. Chameleons catch insects with a sticky-tipped tongue that can be projected accurately and rapidly to a distance greater than the length of their body

cloaca

A single opening where all waste matter as well as reproductive materials exit the body

rectilinear

A type of movement in snakes; muscular force is applied to the belly so scutes or scales on the belly catch on rough surfaces allowing the snake to moves forward slowly

sidewinding

A type of movement used by some desert snakes; the head is vigorously flung from side to side; this whiplike motion moves body along

chorion

outermost membrane of the egg; surrounds all other membranes; helps protect embryo and allows oxygen to enter egg while removing carbon dioxide

Herpetology

the study of reptiles and amphibians

terrapin

Type of reptile that spend their time both on land and in water, and live along rivers, ponds, and lakes; often found in brackish, swampy areas

anapsid

Type of skull with no openings behind the eye sockets; seen in turtles

diapsid

Type of skull with two fenestrae behind the eye sockets; seen in all reptiles (except turtles) and birds

beta keratin

Unique protein that helps to provide additional protection to reptile skin

four

Unlike other reptiles, the crocodilians have this number of heart chambers

yolk

a fat-rich food supply for the developing embryo

amnion

thin membrane enclosing the fluid in which the embryo floats; this fluid serves to cushion the embryo and prevent dehydration

albumen

additional protein and water stored in an egg

crocodiles

tropical or subtropical crocodilians, usually nocturnal, reptiles found in Africa, Asia, South America, & extreme southern Florida

tuatara

Type of animal in Order Rhynchocephalia (Sphenodonta)

double loop

Type of blood circulation found in reptiles

spectacle

A fixed, transparent membrane that protects a snake's eye

amniotic

Type of egg that can be laid on land

gharial

Another name for a gavial

gavials

Fish-eating crocodilians that live only in India & Burma

crocodile alligator caiman gharial

Four types of animals in Order Crocodilia

legless lizards

Group of lizards which are completely limbless

lower jaw

In reptiles, this structure is divided into several bones to enable them greater bite mobility

iguanas

Lizards that are usually brightly colored with ornamental crests, frills, and throat fans

skinks

Lizards that have elongate bodies, an armor of tight-fitting osteoderms, and reduced limbs in many species

bellow

Loud sound that male alligators make during the mating season

lateral undulations

Most common type of movement in snakes; head moves side to side causing wave of muscular contractions and forwards movement in an S-shaped path

monitors

large, active predators that include the largest lizard

systemic

Name for the circulation loop in which blood goes from heart to body back to heart

pulmonary

Name for the circulation loop in which blood goes from heart to lungs back to heart

tuataras

Nocturnal, lizard-like reptiles that live in burrows often shared with petrels

one

Number of ear bones in a reptile

crocodilians

Of the living reptiles, these are the most closely related to dinosaurs

New Zealand

Only place where Tuataras are found

turtle

Type of reptile that is usually water-dwelling and have streamlined, disk-shaped shells and webbed feet or flippers to rapidly move in water

Jacobson's organs

Pit-like organs in the roof of a snake's mouth used to detect chemicals (smell/taste)

leathery

Reptile egg shells are described as this

kidneys

Reptile excretory organs which excrete uric acid as the main nitrogenous waste

amphibians

Reptiles evolved from this group of animals during the Carboniferous Period

paraphyletic

Reptiles form this type of evolutionary group because they do not include all descendants of their most recent ancestor

geckos

Small, agile, mostly nocturnal lizards with adhesive toe pads that enable them to walk upside down and on vertical surfaces

hemotoxin

Snakes can inject this poisonous protein that attack red blood cells

neurotoxin

Snakes can inject this poisonous protein that works on nervous system affecting heart rate & breathing

cerebrum

This part of the brain, used to interpret sensory information and control muscles during movement, is enlarged in reptiles

tortoise

Type of reptile that is land-dwelling and tend to have dome-shaped shell to retract their head & limbs. They have thick sturdy legs and feet for moving on land

tooth

Structure on the snout of a newly hatched reptile which helped it to tear out of the egg

lizards snakes

Two types of animals in Order Squamata

stem

Term used to describe the first reptiles

alligator snapping turtle

The biggest freshwater turtle in North America

carapace

The dorsal surface of the turtle shell

Komodo dragon

The largest lizard species

Leatherback sea turtle

The largest turtles on Earth

African helmeted turtle

The most widespread turtle species in Africa; well known for its terrible smell

plastron

The ventral surface of the turtle shell

boas, pythons, and anacondas

Three common types of constrictor snakes

turtle tortoise terrapin

Three types of animals in Order Testudines (Chelonia)

Mesozoic Era

Time period often called the "Age of Reptiles"

spiny crest

Tuatara means this in the native New Zealand language

beak

Turtles used this structure for gripping food

hemipenes

Two male copulatory organs found in many reptiles

gila monsters, beaded lizards

Two species of venomous lizards