Marine Reptiles

1. Marine Reptiles

2. Marine Reptiles General Characteristics • Vertebrates originally adapted for land that have reinvaded the water • Specialized eggs • Poikilotherms and ectotherms

3. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Bodies enclosed by armor-like shell • There are 7 – 8 species of sea turtles

4. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Diet varies with species • Benthic invertebrates – Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead, flatback (also jellyfish) • Sponges – Hawksbill • Jellyfish – Leatherback • Sea grasses – Green, black (also jellyfish) • Diverse – Olive ridley (crustaceans, jellyfish, algae)

5. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Reproduction • Return to land to lay eggs • Females lay eggs at night (up to 160 eggs) • Gender of hatchlings depends on incubation temperature

6. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Reproduction

7. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Distribution

8. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Distribution Black Flat Back Kemp’s Ridley Hawksbill

9. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • Distribution Leatherback Loggerhead

10. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • All species are threatened or endangered

11. Marine Reptiles • Sea Turtles • All species are threatened or endangered

12. Marine Reptiles • Sea Snakes • 55 species • Laterally flattened with a paddle-like tail • Immense Lungs • Ovoviviparous • Carnivores • Venomous

13. Marine Reptiles • Marine Iguanas • One species – Galápagos Islands • Spends most of its time basking in sun • Feed on algae • Eliminate salt through salt glands • Good swimmers • Territorial

14. Marine Reptiles • Saltwater Crocodiles • Inhabits mangroves and swamps • Found in E. Indian, W. Pacific and Australia • Largest crocodile species • Diverse diet • Aggressive

15. Marine Reptiles • Saltwater Crocodiles

16. Marine Reptiles • Saltwater Crocodiles • Other Crocodiles inhabit fresh or brackish water • In tropics of Africa, Asia, Americas and Australia • Alligators – broader snouts, only upper teeth seen when jaws closed • Only in US and China Crocodile American Alligator

17. Seabirds

18. Seabirds General Characteristics: • Spend significant portion of life at sea • Have webbed feet for swimming • Endotherms and homeotherms • Adaptations include • Feathers • Hollow bones • Nest on land • Salt glands to excrete salt

19. Seabirds • Diversity: • Body form and Lifestyle: • Penguins • Albatross • Pelicans • Cormorants • Frigate birds • Gulls • Shorebirds penguin penguin

20. Seabirds • Diversity: • Body form and Lifestyle: • Penguins • Albatross • Pelicans • Cormorants • Frigate birds • Gulls • Shorebirds

21. Seabirds • Diversity: • Diet • Small zooplankton – Prions • Fishes – Penguins • Squids – Petrels • Benthic invertebrates – Razorbill • Other birds – Petrels • Resource partitioning is common (minimizes competition)