Reptiles, the class of reptilian, are an evolutionary grade of eukarya, including today’s turtles, crocodilians, snakes, lizards, as well as many other extinct groups. Reptiles have existed on this planet for millions of years and have undergone countless mutations. One area of interest is how have these creatures defended themselves as their predators have evolved? Over time, evolution has caused the many subspecies of reptiles to develop a wide variety of defensive mechanisms including: camouflage, venom, body armor, behaviors, and other abnormal morphologies. This topic is interesting from an evolutionary/ecological point of view for several reasons. It provides insight into how reptiles have changed over time, shows how defensive mechanisms differ even within sub species, and shows the relationship between benefit and costs of producing the mechanism. In looking at these mechanisms we as humans can create potential benefits to ourselves. By examining how and why certain defensive mechanisms have developed we could predict how they may continue to change. We can examine how the environmental changes have influenced these evolutionary changes and determine if there needs to be outside interference. Potentially, certain defensive mechanisms could be studied and adapted to help defend humans: scales to body armor, infrared vision, etc. Also, if we are harmed by any of these defensive mechanisms we need to be prepared to heal ourselves (venom and anti-venom). So how do these mechanisms exist in the wild? Crypsis, or more commonly known as camouflage, is a way in which both predators and prey disguise themselves/ blend in with their environment. Not only is crypsis advantageous in defense or hunting situations, this mechanism is al... ... middle of paper ... ...A.S. (1991). Habits of 5 Brazilian Snakes with Coral-Snake Pattern, Including a Summary of Defensive Tactics. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT, 26(3), 159-164. doi: 10.1080/01650529109360848 Sering, M. (1997). Tail squirting in Eurydactylodes: Independent evolution of caudal defensive glands in a diplodactyline Gecko (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger, 235(3-4), 225-229. Thermoregulation. 2013. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved November, 7, 2013 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermoregulation Yang, W., Chen, I.H., Gludovatz, B., Zimmermann, E.A., Ritchie, R.O., Meyers, M.A. (2013). Natural Flexible Dermal Armor, ADVANCED MATERIALS, 25(1), 31-48. doi: 10.1002/adma.201202713 Young, B.A., Boetig, M., Westhoff, G. (2009). Spitting behavior of hatching red spitting cobras (Naja pallida), HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, 19(4), 185-191
Deborah L. Duffy, Yuying Hsu, James A. Serpell ,Applied Animal Behavior Science - 1 December 2008 (Vol. 114, Issue 3, Pages 441-460, DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006)
Known as Pterois Volitans in the animal kingdom, also called the red lionfish, is a sight to behold in the tropical waters as they swim like an underwater butterfly in the sea. In waters not native to their origin, as they are from the Pacific and have predators that will have them for a snack. Invasive to the Caribbean Sea they have rapidly reached the Gulf of Mexico and far south, spreading to parts of South America. The lionfish has become a persistent pest that’s more trouble than what it appears to be, attractive yet deceptive with a striking pattern of white and red stripes. In the New York Times article, A Call to Action… and Even Rodeos, scientists say that, “from 2005 onward, lionfish have become the most numerous nonnative invasive species in the world.” The average pound fish is one of nature’s clever creations, a venomous foe with spines and an infinite appetite that reproduce quickly. Invasive species are notorious because they have no or almost nonexistent natural predators and they are adapt to their new home very well. The biological adaptations of this fish has caused both ecological and economical mayhem, serious measures have been taken up to control their population as well as to protect our coral reefs.
Predators called prudent predators select prey of the highest quality and will switch prey when other foods become more profitable. Prudent predators show preference for the prey they consume, in order to maximise net energy gain per unit time. An important factor in predation-prey interactions is the rate at which individual predators can capture individual prey items. The response of the predator consumption rate to increases in prey density is called the functional response
In the early 1800’s, a new discovery that left paleontologists in awe was the fossil finding of the immeasurable amount of species of reptiles, Ichthyosaurs. Greek for “fish lizards”, these fossils were found all over the world. Because these large aquatic reptiles migrated just as whales do today, paleontologists have had the amazing advantage of collecting fascinating bone fragments throughout the past 177 years. Ichthyosaurs swam the ocean life from about 245 million until about 90 million years ago- approximately the same time dinosaurs ruled the land. The earliest Ichthyosaur fossil findings were in parts of Canada, China, Japan, and possibly Thailand. Countless fossils came from coatings of limestone produced out of the ocean-floor ooze that was predominantly superior at preserving very well facts of the creatures it digested (Perkins 2).
Nicholson KE, Harmon LJ, Losos JB. Evolution of Anolis Lizard Dewlap Diversity. PLOS ONE. 2007
Dinosaurs are an extinct group of animals that thrived for 165 million years starting 230 million years ago in the Late Triassic period of the Mesozoic Era. Despite being extinct for the past 65 million years and not being able to study them in their true form, scientists have been able to estimate many different behaviors of dinosaurs. This paper will show that the close study and examination of different types of body and trace fossils, along with animal models, can be provided as evidence to estimate different types of behaviors in dinosaurs. The different types of behaviors examined below will fall into the categories of: mating; reproduction and nesting; social lives; locomotion; feeding; and fighting. To begin, a great deal of information gathered from fossils and compared to living animal models have been used to estimate mating behaviors.
Smith, Hobart M. and Zim, Herbet S. Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Western Publishing Company, 1987. Print.
The original turtle has long been, and continues to be, a major evolutionary enigma. The oldest turtle clearly identified the turtle. Since turtles appear suddenly in the fossil record, the latest data is not changed with the creation of the event is followed by diversification and
Gould, Edwin, George McKay, and David Kirshner. Encyclopedia of Mammals. San Francisco, CA: Fog City, 2003. Print.
...emale leatherback turtle and her habits in order to fully understand this critically endangered marine animal.
The adaptations that the Axolotl’s have strongly increase their chances of survival and their overall fitness. The Axolotl’s cone shaped teeth allows them to catch food so that they may easily do their “vacuum” action to eat food. This favorable trait grips whatever food they are going to eat, so th...
Reptiles, one the most widely spread animal group throughout the world. They can live almost everywhere because they adapt so well. Reptiles also come in a lot of shapes, sizes and colors. So let's explore the wonder of these scaly creatures.
The similarities and differences between the dog and the lizards’ digestive and reproductive systems are explored within this essay.
The Texas horned lizard can be distinguished by a large flattened body, two large spines on their heads, two rows of fringed scales on their sides, keeled scales on their backs, abdomen, and sides, a white stripe down their back, and brown lines near their eyes (Pianka & Hodges 1995). It inhabits arid environments and preys on small insects, but primarily ants (Oklahoma 1996). The Texas horned lizard is most anatomically similar to the Australian thorny devil, (Moloch horridus), which is most likely due to convergent evolution (Pianka and Parker 1975). Both species of lizards have different phylogenies and lineages, but appear to share common morphological and ecological adaptations due to similar habitats and ...
The Eastern Indigo Snakes’ population has been slowly declining. They have been endangered since 1971. By the time an Eastern Indigo Snake is three to five years old, they are matu...