AmphibiaFelicity Hallett and

Olivia Hammam

Scientific Classification

Kingdom : AnimaliaPhylum : ChordataSubphylum : VertebrataClass : Amphibia

Characteristics

Kingdom: Animalia Multicellular

Heterotrophic

Eukaryotic

No Cell Wall

Phylum: Chordata Spinal Cord

Pharyngeal Slits (Throat)

Characterisitics

Subphylum: Vertebrata Vertebrae (Bones around spinal cord)

A brain enclosed inside of a skull

Endoskeleton (grows with the organism)

Closed circulatory system

Excretion through the kidneys

Sexual reproduction seperates male and female (mostly)

Characteristics Class: Amphibia Dwells on land and water

Cold-blooded

Smooth and hairless

Endoskeleton

A three-chambered heart (two atria and one ventricle)

Undergo completemetamorphasis

Ten cranial nerve are present

Exothermic body temperature (heats from the outside rather than the inside)

Seven Taxa

American Bullfrog

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Amphibia

Order: Anura

Family: Ranidae

Genus: Rana

Species: R. catesbeiana

Fire Salamander

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Amphibia

Order: Caudata

Family: Salamandridae

Genus: Salamandra

Species: S. salamandra

Seven Taxa

Ichthyophis

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Amphibia

Subclass: Lissamphibia

Order: Gymnophiona

Family: Ichthyophiidae

Genus: Ichthyophis

Interesting Facts

Amphibians were the first four-limbed vertebrates!

A group of salamanders known as the plethodontids have no lungs

The largest amphibian is the Chinese giant salamander!!

Food Getting and Locomotion

Example: Frogs

Frogs are carnivores. They eat insects, small fish, spiders, etc.

Frogs have long, sticky tongues that quickly move in and out to catch their food.

Frogs also have very small teeth that are mainly used to hold the prey.

Then, the frog pulls its eyes down into its mouth to help push the food down its throat.

Frogs are divided into 3 groups:

Apoda: do not have limbs

Urodela: Have equal sized limbs

Anura: short front limbs, long back legs.

Most frogs jump although, some walk, run, swim and/or glide.

A Dailymail article stated: “Frogs use their muscles to 'wind up' the tendons in their legs, which release like archer's bows, hurling the amphibians upwards”

Circulation

-Three chambered heart (1 ventricle, 2 atria)-Amphibians have a double circuit which provides faster and more efficient pumping.

Digestion

Parts of the digestive system of a frog includes:MouthPharynxesophagusStomachSmall intestineLarge intestineCloaca (body cavity)Accessory organs

Excretion

After following the digestive system,

Liquids are passed to the urinary bladder

Solids are routed to the cloaca

Both the liquids (urine) and solids are released through the cloaca.

Gas Exchange

While a frog is in water, all of the gas exchange happens through the skin. They take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

When a frog isn’t in the water, the mucus glands keep the frog moist.

Frogs can also breathe similar to a human; in through the nose, down to the lungs and then released the same way.

When a frog sleeps, it exchanges gases through the lining of its mouth. They also breathe less often while resting.

Bibliography

http://www.animalsworlds.com/classification-of-amphibians.html

http://study.com/academy/lesson/animalia-kingdom-definition-characteristics-facts.html

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio106/chordate.htm

http://www.preservearticles.com/2011082011052/characteristics-of-class-amphibian.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bullfrog

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_salamander

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyophis

https://www.google.ca/search?q=phylogenetic+tree+of+phylum+chordata&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI9M2_hrr-xwIVAoYNCh0SOAJg#imgrc=-wbsW0fKwSmQvM%3A

http://animals.about.com/od/amphibians/a/amphibian-facts.htm

http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/animals/frogs3.html