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BIO190: The Class: Amphibians: Lesson 28

The Early Tetrapods and Modern Amphibians

Herpetology is the study of Amphibians and reptiles.
NAU's Department of Biological Sciences offers a course in herpetology. Contact the Biology Department's Advisement Center for details at 520-523-9304.


Phylum Chordata
Subphlum Vertebrata
Superclass Gnathostomata

Explore the sites below before beginning the lesson.
Amphibia: Fossil Record
Frog Skeleton

The following are characteristics of amphibians:

  • bony skeleton

  • usually tetrapods
    (forelimbs usually 4 toes)

  • smooth, moist skin
    1. poison glands in some
    2. pigmentation in some
    3. no scales

  • teeth upper jaws or both jaws

  • respiration
    1. lungs or
    2. gills or
    3. cutaneous (some salamanders)


    Class Amphibia (3 orders)

    The three living amphibian orders comprise more than 3900 species.

    Herp Hot Links

    Order Gymnophiona (fig. 28-5)

    The order gymnophiona contains approximately 160 species of elongate, limbless, burrowing creatures commonly called caecilians.

      Class Lissamphibia
    1. caecillians

      There is a graduate student in in our Biology Department who studies caecillians. For more information contact Dr. Kiisa C. Nishikawa at 520-523-9497.

    2. burrowing
    3. tropical forests
    4. no limbs
    5. adults blind

  • Order Caudata (figs. 28-6 --> 28-11)

    The order Caudata consists of about 360 species of tailed amphibians.


    Explore this site:

    Newt and Salamander Homepage

    1. salamanders/newts
    2. tetrapods
    3. reproduction
      (spermatophore)

    4. development
      1. direct
      2. indirect
      3. paedomorphosis

    5. respiratory system
      (highly varied between lungs, gills, and skin)


    Order Anura (figs. 28- 4 & 28-12 --> 28-26)

    The more than 3400 species of frogs and toads that make up the order Anura which for most people are the most familiar amphibians.

    Amphian faculty: Dr. Kiisa Nishikawa conducts research on the feeding habits and other interesting topics with various frog species. Contact her at 520-523-9497 if you are interested in her research.
    Dr. Catherine Propper conducts reseach on amphibians and their hormones. Her office number is 520-523-1374.

    Explore this site for more frog information
    FROGLOG


    Once you have completed the lesson, you should go to Assignment 28-1.

    E-mail Sylvester Allred at Syl.Allred@nau.edu


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