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Mudpuppy

Learn about the evolution and characteristics of mudpuppies, a type of amphibian that evolved approximately 400 million years ago. These swamp-dwelling creatures retain fish-like characteristics and have a large range in size, from newts to crocodiles. Discover how they transitioned from water to land, evolving features such as lungs and limbs. Explore the reasons behind their evolution, including changes in the environment and the search for better sources of water and food. Understand the classification, characteristics, and unique traits of mudpuppies, such as neotony and the use of external gills throughout their life.

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Mudpuppy

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  1. Mudpuppy Necturus maculosis

  2. Evolution of amphibians • Evolved approximately 400 mya • Swamp dwellers • Retain fish like characteristics • Large range in size, newts to crocs • Water  land, gills  lungs, fins  limbs • Tetrapods – 4 legs

  3. Reason for evolution • Change environment due to • Drying up of water sources • Find better sources of water • Found more food on land • Escape from enemies

  4. Class: Amphibian • Characteristics • Lay eggs in water, no protection from drying out • Gills as larvae, lungs as adult • Moist, thin skin, produce mucous • Lack claws • Internal nares, oxygen enters mouth lining when mouth is closed • Sharp sense of hearing and smelling • External fertilization • Pigmentation due to chromatophores, change color • Cold blood, 3 chambered heart

  5. 3 major orders • Anura – frogs and toad, without tails • Urodela - salamanders, newts, have tails • Apoda – caecilians – borrow, legless, rare

  6. Mudpuppy classification • Kingdom – animal • Phylum – chordata • Sub phylum – vertebrate • Class – amphibian • Order – urodela • Family – proteridae • Genus – Necturus • species - maculosis

  7. Mudpuppy Characteristics • Neotony – retention of larval characteristics • External gills throughout life, 3 pair • Life span approximately 20 years • 5 years – sexual maturity • 8 – 17 inches in length • Lungs are hydrostatic organs • Balance and flotation • Cartilaginous skull • Lack eyelids • Internal fertilization, external development, oviparous • No drastic metamorphosis

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