SLE204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Herbivore, Heterodont, Anapsid

• School: Deakin University
• Department: Science, Engineering and Built Environment
• Course: SLE204
• Professor: Anneke Veenstra

Document Summary

Characteristics of reptiles: amniotic egg with calcareous shell (for protection from desiccation) embryo can develop away from water, tough, dry, scaly skin. Thin epidermis; highly keratinised scales reduce water loss, protects against desiccation and injury. Thick dermis with melanophores: ectothermic, very muscular jaws (kinetic) with teeth increased bite force and gape allows. Internal fertilization do(cid:374)"t (cid:374)eed water to reprodu(cid:272)e them to take down large, struggling prey. Jaws developed from 1st and 2nd gill arches: advanced nervous system larger cerebrum great eyesight; improved sensory perception. * ja(cid:272)o(cid:271)so(cid:374)"s orga(cid:374) olfactory organ: efficient circulatory system separate flow patterns to prevent mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Improved lung ventilation - negative pressure breathing (sucks in air: efficient kidneys to conserve water nitrogenous waste eliminated as uric acid, strong skeleton strong pectoral and pelvic girdles limbs can support animal on land. ** amnion, chorion & allantois are amniotic membranes: hatchlings have egg-tooth and horny growth on snout tip to break through hard-shelled eggs.