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