Vertebrate Zoology (Final Exam Prep) questions with correct answers

Amniotic Egg CORRECT ANSWER A shelled, water-retaining egg that enables reptiles, birds, and egg-laying mammals to complete their life cycles on dry land Fenestration CORRECT ANSWER The introduction of fenestrae (small holes in glomerular capillary walls that filter out fluid) in some amniotes Amniota CORRECT ANSWER higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds and mammals) possessing an amnion during development Basilisk Lizard CORRECT ANSWER An Amniota species that has the ability to run across water Synapsida and Sauropsida CORRECT ANSWER Two lineages within amniotes Subclass Synapsida - mammals and their mammal-like ancestors Subclass Sauropsida - include "reptiles" (snakes, dinosaurs, turtles, birds etc.) defined by skull characteristics Lissamphibia CORRECT ANSWER modern/living amphibians Limitations of Lissamphibia for Terrestrial Life CORRECT ANSWER - Cutaneous respiration (permeable skin) - Absence of ribs and costal ventilation Limits amphibian lifestyle to humid environments (amniotes overcame this through amniotic egg and not relying on cutaneous respiration)