Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which animal groups are classified as herpetofauna?
Which animal groups are classified as herpetofauna?
- Reptiles and amphibians (correct)
- Mammals and reptiles
- Fish and birds
- Birds and mammals
What is the correct order of the alimentary canal parts in frogs?
What is the correct order of the alimentary canal parts in frogs?
- Buccal cavity → oesophagus → pharynx → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → cloaca
- Buccal cavity → cloaca → pharynx → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine
- Buccal cavity → pharynx → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → cloaca (correct)
- Buccal cavity → pharynx → oesophagus → stomach → large intestine → small intestine → cloaca
Which characteristic describes the alimentary canal found in frogs?
Which characteristic describes the alimentary canal found in frogs?
- Incomplete and long tube
- Complete and uncoiled tube
- Complete and coiled long tube (correct)
- Incomplete and short tube
How does the structure of the jaws contribute to the feeding mechanism in herpetofauna?
How does the structure of the jaws contribute to the feeding mechanism in herpetofauna?
Which of the following is true about the presence of salivary glands in frogs and reptiles?
Which of the following is true about the presence of salivary glands in frogs and reptiles?
What is a primary function of the tongue in lizards, beyond just capturing prey?
What is a primary function of the tongue in lizards, beyond just capturing prey?
The chameleon's tongue can accelerate at 50g's to catch prey. What does this suggest about the tongue's functionality?
The chameleon's tongue can accelerate at 50g's to catch prey. What does this suggest about the tongue's functionality?
During breathing in amphibians, what is the state of the glottis?
During breathing in amphibians, what is the state of the glottis?
How does the glottis function differently in reptiles compared to amphibians?
How does the glottis function differently in reptiles compared to amphibians?
What structural difference in the oesophagus exists between amphibians and reptiles, and what causes this?
What structural difference in the oesophagus exists between amphibians and reptiles, and what causes this?
How is the stomach positioned within the body cavity of herpetofauna?
How is the stomach positioned within the body cavity of herpetofauna?
Into what two main sections can the stomach be divided?
Into what two main sections can the stomach be divided?
What is the function of gastroliths in crocodilian digestion?
What is the function of gastroliths in crocodilian digestion?
What structural component attaches the intestine to the dorsal body wall?
What structural component attaches the intestine to the dorsal body wall?
What is function of the cloaca in herpetofauna?
What is function of the cloaca in herpetofauna?
What are the two primary digestive glands associated with the alimentary canal in frogs?
What are the two primary digestive glands associated with the alimentary canal in frogs?
In reptiles, how does the flexibility of the lower jaw contribute to their feeding habits, and what is the significance of this adaptation?
In reptiles, how does the flexibility of the lower jaw contribute to their feeding habits, and what is the significance of this adaptation?
How does the difference in glottis function between amphibians and reptiles relate to their respective environments and respiratory needs?
How does the difference in glottis function between amphibians and reptiles relate to their respective environments and respiratory needs?
How do the gastroliths found in the stomachs of crocodilians relate to their feeding ecology and predatory behavior, particularly when compared to other herpetofauna?
How do the gastroliths found in the stomachs of crocodilians relate to their feeding ecology and predatory behavior, particularly when compared to other herpetofauna?
Flashcards
What is Herpetofauna?
What is Herpetofauna?
The animal group that includes reptiles and frogs.
What is the alimentary canal?
What is the alimentary canal?
A complete, coiled tube in frogs from mouth to cloaca.
What is the mouth?
What is the mouth?
The start of the alimentary canal.
What are salivary glands?
What are salivary glands?
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What is the tongue?
What is the tongue?
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What is flicking tongue?
What is flicking tongue?
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What is the glottis?
What is the glottis?
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What is the oesophagus?
What is the oesophagus?
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What is the oesophagus?
What is the oesophagus?
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What is the stomach?
What is the stomach?
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What are the parts of the stomach?
What are the parts of the stomach?
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What are gastroliths (stones)?
What are gastroliths (stones)?
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What is the intestine?
What is the intestine?
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What is the cloaca?
What is the cloaca?
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What are the digestive glands?
What are the digestive glands?
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Study Notes
- Herpetofauna includes reptiles and frogs.
Alimentary Canal in Frogs
- In frogs, it is a coiled, long tube with varying diameters that extends from the mouth to the cloaca.
- The alimentary canal comprises of the buccal cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and cloaca.
Mouth
- The alimentary canal starts with the mouth, which is a wide gap from one side of the snout to the other.
- It contains two bony jaws covered by immovable lips where the upper jaw is fixed, and the lower jaw is flexible, moving up and down to open/close the mouth.
- The frogs don't have salivary glands.
- Reptiles have salivary glands.
Tongue in Frogs
- The tongue is large, sticky, muscular, and protrusible.
- The upper surface has taste buds forming small papillae and mucous glands which secrete substances that make the tongue sticky.
- Digestive enzymes are not produced by the mucous glands or the taste buds.
Reptilian Tongue
- The reptilian tongue is unique and important.
- Reptiles often flick their tongue in and out of their mouth.
- Lizards use their tongue to smell and navigate.
- The chameleon's tongue propels at 50g's towards their prey.
Pharynx
- The glottis is a median slit in the pharynx behind the tongue shielding entry into the lungs.
- In amphibians, the glottis is always open and closes when swallowing.
- In reptiles, the glottis is closed unless it is taking a breath, forming a vertical slit.
Oesophagus
- The gullet directs into a muscular section of the alimentary canal referred to as the oesophagus.
- The oesophagus opens into the stomach with no demarcation line between them.
- The alimentary canal is extremely short in Amphibia due to the absence of the neck.
- The oesophagus is longer in Reptiles because of the appearance of the neck.
Stomach
- The stomach is present on the left side of the body cavity, attached to the dorsal body wall by a mesogaster.
- The stomach can be split into two parts: The short narrow, posterior pyloric stomach and the large, wider anterior cardiac stomach.
- Crocodilians swallow stones, known as gastroliths, to help digest their prey.
- The crocodilian stomach is divided into two chambers.
Intestine
- The stomach leads into a tubular, long, and coiled intestine, attached to the dorsal body wall by the mesentery.
- Consists of the small and large intestine.
Cloaca
- The cloaca refers to tiny sac-like structures that receive the openings of the anus and urinogenital apertures.
- It leads to the exterior via the cloacal opening or vent at the body's posterior end.
Digestive Glands
- Two large glands linked with the alimentary canal of a frog are the liver and the pancreas.
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