Class Amphibia Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the three orders of frogs?

Order Anura, Order Caudata, Order Apoda

Most amphibians have what type of aquatic larval stage?

Tadpoles in frogs and larvae in salamanders

What do the larvae of most amphibians rely on for respiration?

Gills

What do the adults rely on for respiration?

Lungs and skin Signup and view all the answers

Where do most North American salamanders live most of their lives?

Aquatic existence Signup and view all the answers

Where do the North American salamanders from the Family Plethodontidae live and how?

They live in a non-aquatic environment with direct development. Signup and view all the answers

How do frogs and salamanders differ?

Frogs lack a tail and have enlarged hind limbs for jumping, while salamanders have a tail and even-sized legs. Signup and view all the answers

How do the aquatic larval stages of the frog and salamander differ?

Larval salamanders have external gills and legs; tadpoles have internal gills and no legs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the nostrils on the frog called?

External nares Signup and view all the answers

What does the circular tympanum represent?

The outer wall of the middle ear Signup and view all the answers

What does the short forelimb consist of on the frog?

Upper arm, forearm, wrist, and palm Signup and view all the answers

How many digits does the palm have?

Four digits and a rudimentary vestigial thumb Signup and view all the answers

What does the hind limb consist of?

Thigh, shank, ankle, and foot Signup and view all the answers

How can you sex your frog by the size of the thumb?

Males have enlarged thumbs known as nuptial pads Signup and view all the answers

What do the Eustachian tube openings in the angle of the jaws lead to?

The ears Signup and view all the answers

Where are the maxillary teeth located?

Along the rim of the upper jaw Signup and view all the answers

What is the glottis?

A slit through which air passes in and out of the trachea Signup and view all the answers

Where is the esophagus located?

Dorsal and posterior to the glottis Signup and view all the answers

If your specimen is a female, what will the body be filled with?

Eggs and an enlarged ovary Signup and view all the answers

What kind of digestive systems do amphibians have?

They have a complex digestive system Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Orders of Amphibians

Three main orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata (salamanders and newts), and Apoda (caecilians).
Amphibians display diverse forms adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Larval Stages

Most amphibians undergo an aquatic larval stage, such as tadpoles in frogs and larvae in salamanders.
Larvae rely on gills for respiration and possess a strong, broad tail for swimming.

Adult Respiration

Adults use lungs (for terrestrial and semiaquatic species) or gills (for aquatic species) for respiration.
Skin plays a significant role, contributing approximately 35% to the respiration process.

Salamanders' Habitats

Many Eastern North American salamanders live most of their lives in an aquatic state without metamorphosis.

Plethodontidae Family Adaptations

North American salamanders from the Plethodontidae family do not require aquatic breeding; they undergo direct development within the egg.
They lack lungs and respire entirely through their skin.

Morphological Differences

Frogs and salamanders differ in body structure; salamanders have a head, trunk, and tail, whereas frogs have larger hind limbs and no tail.

Differences in Larval Morphology

Larval salamanders have external gills, legs, and a large mouth, allowing for carnivorous feeding.
Tadpoles (anuran larvae) have internal gills, no legs until metamorphosis, and a small scraping mouth adapted for herbivorous feeding.

Frog Anatomy

External nares are the nostrils of frogs, leading to internal nares located inside the mouth.
The tympanum is the circular structure representing the outer wall of the middle ear, larger in males than females.

Limb Structure

Frogs have short forelimbs consisting of an upper arm, forearm, wrist, and palm with four digits and a vestigial thumb.
The hind limb consists of a thigh, shank, ankle, and foot, which has five digits and a rudimentary sixth digit.

Reproductive Adaptations

Male frogs possess enlarged thumbs, known as nuptial pads, aiding in holding onto females during reproduction.

Ear Pressure Regulation

Eustachian tubes, opening in the angle of the jaws, equalize air pressure in the ears.

Dental Structure

Maxillary teeth are located along the rim of the upper jaw, with vomerine teeth situated just behind the midsection of the upper jaw.

Respiratory Structures

The glottis is a slit that facilitates the passage of air to and from the trachea, connecting to the lungs.
The esophagus lies dorsal and posterior to the glottis, leading to the stomach.

Reproductive Organs

In female frogs, the body is often filled with eggs and contains an enlarged ovary.

Digestive System

Amphibians possess a digestive system common to all chordates, featuring distinct organs and functions.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the amphibian class with these flashcards. Learn about the three orders of frogs and their unique adaptations for life both in water and on land. Perfect for students studying biology or ecology.