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Modern Amphibians. Anura/Salientia (frogs & toads) ~ 3500 sp; Triassic Caudata/Urodela (salamanders) ~ 350 sp; Jurassic Apoda/Gymnophiona (caecelians) ~ 60 sp. general features. 'amphibious' life cycle ( metamorphosis ) smooth, glandular skin three chambered heart carnivorous.
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Modern Amphibians • Anura/Salientia (frogs & toads) ~ 3500 sp; Triassic • Caudata/Urodela (salamanders) ~ 350 sp; Jurassic • Apoda/Gymnophiona (caecelians) ~ 60 sp
general features • 'amphibious' life cycle (metamorphosis) • smooth, glandular skin • three chambered heart • carnivorous
Order Anura/Salientia • distribution cosmopolitan except Antarctica; tropics especially • elongate hind limbs & powerful leg muscles • strong pelvis fused to the vertebral column; posterior vertebrae fused into a urostyle 4. sticky, protrusible tongue 5. species specific vocalizations 6. external fertilization; amplexus
Order Caudata/Urodela • distribution: primarily northern hemisphere • neoteny- adult retains juvenile features • Family Plethodontidae- loss of lungs; cutaneous respiration • troglodytes- cave dwellers
reproduction • courtship: species specific displays (visual, tactile, & chemical cues) • internal fertilization; spermatophore transfer • eggs laid in water or moist soil • larvae; aquatic & gilled in many • territoriality
Order Apoda/Gymnophiona • legless & fossorial • distribution: tropics