Essay about chordates and vertebrates lab

For example, there is a big difference when it comes to a crocodiles and alligators snout. Alligators have a U-shaped snout with a wider head and sharp teeth that hide when the mouth is closed. In contrast to alligators, a crocodile have a V-shaped snout with a thinner head and have a “toothy grin” when the mouth is closed. Additionally the alligators upper jaw is more located more forwards than the crocodiles, this also affects the how the teeth are structured. Although both of these animals’ teeth are strong, the crocodiles have a more defined strength because it can destroy a turtles shell faster than an alligator. Furthermore, crocodiles have lingual glands that make salt water tolerable. Another major difference is the capacity of length between the two reptiles. Crocodiles tend to grow 5. 8 meters compared to an 4.3 alligator. Moreover, female crocodiles lay their eggs in mud or sand whereas the female alligators lay eggs on mounds near water. Another difference between alligators and crocodiles are the amount of time it takes to take care of the newborns. Alligators usually stay a few months or 1 year until the babies are strong enough to fend for themselves unlike crocodiles that stay with the babies 2

It is our duty as humans to ensure the vitality of biodiversity in the world around us, because without biodiversity we could not survive. One of the main problems seen today is the loss of biodiversity in our oceans. Pavan Sukhdev of the UN Environmental Program was quoted as saying "We are in the situation where 40 years down the line we, effectively, are out of fish." (Save our Seas, 2014) Although this quote is both powerful and grim, this is only a future we could meet if we were to continue the mass commercial fishing of stock fish. An essential cornerstone to securing biodiversity, species protection is of the utmost importance when it comes to environmental issues. In the Pacific Northwest there are few species

Scientists say reptiles evolved from amphibians 340 million years ago. The first reptile was an insect eater. Reptiles were more adaptable and able to

Which amphibian has red eyes, yellow feet, and looks like a leaf? Red Eyed Tree Frogs of course! Because Frogs are amphibians, they spend most of their time in water or wet places. Interestingly, Female will lay their eggs in water, when these eggs hatch they become tadpoles. These baby frogs have many stages such as, developing back legs, growing front legs, becoming a juvenile frog, and finally losing its tail and becoming an adult. Red Eyed Tree Frogs Wake up at dusk and go on the prowl for insects and fruit, which are its main diet. Also, when red eyed tree frogs sleep, they curl their feet and shut their eyes, they look exactly like a leaf, this helps from camouflage from predators. These loveable leaping

Abstract: This paper deals with the Shantungosaurus Giganteus and its discovery, fossil information, its phylogeny and reconstructed life habit. The features of the Shantungosaurus include flat beaks, large jaws, and large holes near their nostrils. They prefers high ground and lived in warm weather with ample precipitation. Theses herbivores behavior includes being social or companionable as well as terrestrial. These dinosaurs would travel in herds due to the ongoing treat of predators attacking. The Shantungosaurus did have the ability to defend itself but also knew when to flee if a predator bigger than them came along. These dinosaurs survived until the Late Cretaceous period until one of the greatest mass extinctions happened which ended

Subclass – Archeorinthes –*Fossil birds (Jurassic birds of Mesozoic Age). *Flight feathers present. *Long tail without a pygostyle. *Carpals and metacarpals free. *Abdominal ribs present. *Hand reduced to three digits.

The Texas horned lizard also exhibits behavioral adaptations that have increased its water-absorbing efficiency. To help increase the capture of water from its scales, the lizard lowers its head and body to the ground and sticks out its legs to increase the surface area of its body in

The smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata (Latham 1794) species are a large batoid elasmobranch that prefers very specific habitats (Simpfendorfer et al., 2010). They are also a K-selected species, which means that the smalltooth have a late maturity, a small pup size and a slow growth rate (Seitz & Poulakis, 2006). The smalltooth sawfish species can be identified from the undefined or undeveloped lower caudal fin (Gómez-Rodríguez et al., 2014). Another identifier is the first dorsal fin is in line with the beginning of the pelvic fin (Gómez-Rodríguez et al., 2014). Unlike the other sawfish, the P. pectinata have about 20 to 34 rostral teeth on the saw, which is more than most species (Gómez-Rodríguez et al., 2014).

The fossil of Tiktaalik confirmed a major prediction of paleontology in that it showed characteristics of both aquatic animals, such as fish, and land animals, such as reptiles and amphibians. While it had fins and scales, it also had a flexible neck, a flat head, and complex bone structure in its fins that correspond with the structure of the legs of terrestrial animals. Thus, it demonstrates the evolutionary transition between aquatic and terrestrial life.

Steele, V.J. 1984. Morphology and ultrastructure of the organ of Bellonci in the marine amphipod Gammarus setosus. Journal of Morphology, 181(1), 97-131.

In the science of paleontology, the history of life is studied. Paleontologists study fossils to learn the past ecologies, evolution, and the origins of humans. In order to understand the processes that have led to both the origination and destruction of organisms since life began, paleontologists incorporate both scientific knowledge and studies. Fossil findings are critically important for confirming predictions of evolution theory. Of the many discoveries that are made yearly to add depth to the understanding of evolution, an example is a recent discovery of a creature they named Tiktaalik. The Tiktaalik was uncovered to be a transitional animal between shallow-water fishes and limbed animals. The creature supports the idea that it emerged from both mammals and reptiles, suggesting that the two are related. These findings support prediction of evolution, contradicting the belief that God

One of the largest reptiles in the United States is the American Alligator. This alligator can grow up to 12 feet in length and weigh as much as 1 ton. Male alligators are commonly larger than female alligators. Both males and females have a thick “armored” body with embedded thick scales or bony plates called osteoderms, or scutes. They have four short, but muscular legs and a long, round snout. Its eyes are situated on the top of its head. The alligator can swim with just the top of their head when it is in the water. This is a tactic that they do that will help them sneak up to their prey. When they dip their heads under water, its nostrils and ears close and a membrane shields its eyes. The American Alligator can grow up to 2,000 to 3,000 teeth in its mouth during its lifetime. Once their teeth wear down, new ones replace them.

Delgado, C. L., Wada, N., Rosegrant, M. W., Meijer, S., & Ahmed, M. (2003). Fish to 2020: supply and demand in changing global markets. Retrieved from http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pubs/books/fish2020/oc44.pdf

Many breeds of fish are being captured at a faster rate than they can reproduce. Some species such as orange roughy fishing became popular in New Zealand in the 1970’s. Over time, it spread to many countries around the world. In the last 20 years, there has been a decline in catch up to 75%. It is no longer common to see in grocery stores as well as restaurants. The amounts of fish that are captured and distributed around the world are alarming opposed to the rate the fish can multiply.

Frogs, toads, caecilians, and salamanders are the members of the class Amphibian (amphi- meaning “on both sides” and bios- meaning “life”). These members always require water for reproduction. Most Amphibians undergo metamorphosis, which is a usually degenerative pathological change in the structure of a particular body tissue. And, in the case of Amphibians, it is the changing of a tadpole into