Orders
Order Anura
The Anurans (or the frogs and toads) are the most diverse and widespread of the three orders of amphibians. Anurans can be found throughout many areas in the world, and their diversity is at its greatest in the tropics. There are currently more than 4,000 species of Anurans and more are being discovered. Anura means "without tail" since frogs lose their tails when they become adults. Frogs have skulls and males of most species have sacs for vocalization. The eggs of most frogs are fertilized externally and utilize a mating posture known as "amplexus" which guarantees contact between the sperm and the eggs. But some species of frogs adopt different postures. Only around 10% of frogs show some kind of parental care. But many species will defend their nests and other things they have claimed ownership of. Most temperate species breed in explosive intervals, which means they gather to mate once or twice a year around water. The sensory system of a frog is similar to a fish: they both have a lateral line. Frogs also have chemoreceptors in their nose, mouth, tongue, and skin. Their eyes are also well-developed since they rely heavily on vision to hunt prey. Frogs hear using a tympanic membrane. The kidneys of a frog are able to retain water and distribute it throughout their body if they are on land.
Source(s): http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anura/, Google Drive notes
The Anurans (or the frogs and toads) are the most diverse and widespread of the three orders of amphibians. Anurans can be found throughout many areas in the world, and their diversity is at its greatest in the tropics. There are currently more than 4,000 species of Anurans and more are being discovered. Anura means "without tail" since frogs lose their tails when they become adults. Frogs have skulls and males of most species have sacs for vocalization. The eggs of most frogs are fertilized externally and utilize a mating posture known as "amplexus" which guarantees contact between the sperm and the eggs. But some species of frogs adopt different postures. Only around 10% of frogs show some kind of parental care. But many species will defend their nests and other things they have claimed ownership of. Most temperate species breed in explosive intervals, which means they gather to mate once or twice a year around water. The sensory system of a frog is similar to a fish: they both have a lateral line. Frogs also have chemoreceptors in their nose, mouth, tongue, and skin. Their eyes are also well-developed since they rely heavily on vision to hunt prey. Frogs hear using a tympanic membrane. The kidneys of a frog are able to retain water and distribute it throughout their body if they are on land.
Source(s): http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Anura/, Google Drive notes
Order Caudata
Salamanders are a very diverse group in the United States, but there are some families that exist outside of the U.S. There are over 400 species of salamanders. Salamanders are noticeably different from other amphibians when dealing with physical characteristics, such as a tail that is present in most stages of life, including adult. They also have four limbs extending from their long bodies. Most families of salamanders have internal fertilization. Most salamanders lay their eggs in the water. Many salamanders have shown examples of parental care, such as guarding their eggs. Salamanders breathe through their skin, but some have gill fans. The backside of a salamander is dark in color while their bellies are light in color.
Source(s): http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Caudata/, Google Drive notes
Salamanders are a very diverse group in the United States, but there are some families that exist outside of the U.S. There are over 400 species of salamanders. Salamanders are noticeably different from other amphibians when dealing with physical characteristics, such as a tail that is present in most stages of life, including adult. They also have four limbs extending from their long bodies. Most families of salamanders have internal fertilization. Most salamanders lay their eggs in the water. Many salamanders have shown examples of parental care, such as guarding their eggs. Salamanders breathe through their skin, but some have gill fans. The backside of a salamander is dark in color while their bellies are light in color.
Source(s): http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Caudata/, Google Drive notes
Order Gymnophiona
Caecilians are fairly unknown and are made up of about 160 species that can be found in tropical rainforests in South America, Africa, and South East Asia. Caecilians can be either aquatic or burrowers that can be found in loose moist soil usually near streams. They use their heads for poking the mud to find food. Caecilians eyesight have been reduced significantly but they are still capable of sensing light. They have a sensory tentacle that improves their sense of smell.
Source(s): http://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk/index.php?page=493.464.467, Google Drive notes
Caecilians are fairly unknown and are made up of about 160 species that can be found in tropical rainforests in South America, Africa, and South East Asia. Caecilians can be either aquatic or burrowers that can be found in loose moist soil usually near streams. They use their heads for poking the mud to find food. Caecilians eyesight have been reduced significantly but they are still capable of sensing light. They have a sensory tentacle that improves their sense of smell.
Source(s): http://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk/index.php?page=493.464.467, Google Drive notes
Representative organism: Hellbender
- Order: Caudata
- Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
- Hellbenders are usually brown in color
- Its head is large and flat
- Juveniles lose their external gills once they reach about 18 months of age
- Hellbenders can live to be up to 30 years old in the wild and 50 years old in captivity
- Hellbenders can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee
- Hellbenders are completely aquatic and prefer clear and well-oxygenated streams and rivers
- Hellbenders serve as good indicators for a clean water system
- Crayfish are the main prey for hellbenders, they also feed on insects, snails, minnows, and earthworms