Marine Reptiles and Birds. Class Reptilia Characteristics Strong bony skeleton Well developed lungs...

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Marine Reptiles and Birds

Transcript of Marine Reptiles and Birds. Class Reptilia Characteristics Strong bony skeleton Well developed lungs...

Marine Reptiles and Birds

Class Reptilia

CharacteristicsStrong bony skeletonWell developed lungsMost have 2 pairs of legsLegs are thickToes with clawsExcretory system designed to

conserve water

Characteristics Cont’dColor changeDominant sense – sightUric acid – primary excretory

product4 chambered heartSex determination

- high temp – males- low temp - females

Order TestudinesTurtles@ 225 speciesBeak rather than teethEat plants and animalsMost are highly endangeredLeatherback up to 9’ and 1 ton.

Order SquamataSuborder Sauria

LizardsEat plants and animalsKomodo Dragon – up to 10 ft longMarine Iguanas – feed on algae

Order SquamataSuborder SerpentesSnakesNo limbsStrong flexible bodiesOviparous or ovoviviparousWell developed sense of taste

and smell

Snake FeedingJacobson’s organs – olfactory

pouches used to track prey and find females

Pit organs – detect heatSwallow prey wholeUpper and lower jaws can

move independentlyPosteriorly pointing teeth

Snake VenomHemotoxins

- destroy red blood cells and cause internal bleeding

- vipersNeurotoxins

– paralyze nerve cells, respiratory paralysis

- Cobras, coral snakes, and sea snakes

Order CrocodiliaCrocodiles and AlligatorsDifferencesCarnivoresLive in waterExtend nostrils above water for

air

Class Aves

Feathers

Composed mainly of keratin Down feathers - soft, fluffy feathers providing

insulation. Filoplumes - thin, hair-like feathers. Contour feathers - shape and color the body. Flight feathers - specialized contour feathers on

wings and tail that provide lift.

Feather Types

Skeleton

Light bones Air sacs – greatly increase lung’s ability to

take in oxygen. Forelimbs function as wings, not for grasping Types of feet based on type of food and

environment.

Types of bills

Toothless Depend on type of food

gathered

Cardiovascular System

Body temperature is internally regulated (endothermic)

Heart is 4-chambered High metabolism - provides the large

amount of energy needed for flight. Rapid heartbeat - moves large amount of

blood through the body for gas exchange.

Nervous System

Highly developed

Controls flight, Helps navigation, Enhances vision and hearing.

Digestive System

Crop - stores food for processing by the gizzard.

Gizzard - grinds the food.

Shore Birds feed in intertidal

zone, long legs and sharp beaks.

(ex. Sandpipers)

Gulls

predators and scavengers found all over the world. Generally live around shoreline.

Pelicans, Cormorants, etc

Dive for food Gular pouch

serves as a net

AlbatrossSuperb gliders

(11ft wing span)

Return to land only to nest

Penguins

Heavier bones and layers of fat.

Most highly adapted to life in the sea

Preyed upon by leopard seals & killer whales