Amphibian Evolution by Gabriel Fredette

Amphibian Evolution by Gabriel Fredette https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq Super awesome amphibian project that got a 100% en-us 2017-05-24 16:53:58 UTC 2025-10-05 10:40:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Examples of Amphibians gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/173674566 American Bullfrog,
American Toad
European Green Toad
Giant Marine Toad
Golden Mantella
Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog
Mountain Chicken
Panamanian Golden Frog Plains Leopard Frog
Puerto Rican Crested Toad
Surinam Toad Tomato Frog

]]> 2017-05-24 16:56:16 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/173674566 Komodo Dragon gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460183

Kingdom | Animalia
Phylum | Chordata
Class | Amphibia
Order | Squamata
Family | Varanidae
Genus | Varanidae
Species | Komodoensis

The Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue. The Komodo dragon skin is reinforced by armored scales, which contain tiny bones called osteoderms that function as a sort of natural chain-mail. This rugged hide makes Komodo dragon skin poorly suited for making into leather.

The Komodo dragon prefers hot and dry places, and typically lives in dry, open grassland, savanna, and tropical forest at low elevations. As an ectotherm, it is most active in the day, although it exhibits some nocturnal activity. Komodo dragons are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. For shelter, the Komodo dragon digs holes that can measure from 1 to 3 m (3.3 to 9.8 ft) wide with its powerful forelimbs and claws.

]]> 2017-05-30 16:52:59 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460183 Tree Frog gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460558

As the name implies, these frogs are typically found in trees or other high-growing vegetation. Tree frogs are usually tiny as their weight has to be carried by the branches and twigs in their habitats. While some reach 10 cm (4 in) or more, they are typically smaller and more slender than terrestrial frogs. Tree frogs typically have well-developed discs at the finger and toe tips; the fingers and toes themselves, as well as the limbs, tend to be rather small, resulting in a superior grasping ability. The genus Chiromantis of the Rhacophoridae is most extreme in this respect: it can oppose two fingers to the other two, resulting in a vise-like grip.(Wiki-Tree Frog)

They do not normally descend to the ground, except to mate and spawn, though some build foam nests on leaves and rarely leave the trees at all as adults. Many tree frogs also change their color for better camouflage to hide from predators and people.

]]> 2017-05-30 16:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460558 Giant Chinese Salamander gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460734

The average adult salamander weighs 55–66 lb and is 115 cm (3.77 ft) in length. It can can reach up to 110 lb in weight and 180 cm (5.9 ft) in length, making it the largest amphibian species. The longest recently documented Chinese giant salamander, kept at a farm in Zhangjiaje, was 180 cm (5.9 ft) and 130 lb.

The skin lacks scales and is moist and smooth to the touch, which may have velvety skin, wet to the touch. It has a large head, small eyes, and dark, wrinkly skin. Its flat, broad head has a wide mouth, round, lidless eyes, and a line of pair tubercles that run around its head and throat. Its color is typically dark brown with a mottled or speckled pattern, but it can also be other brownish tones, dark reddish or black.

Chinese Salamanders are opportunistic predators. They are generally not restricted to specific foods, but feed on almost any organism of a reasonable size. Salamanders are not vocal and the sexes look alike, so they use olfactory and tactile cues to identify potential mates, and sexual selection does occur.

]]> 2017-05-30 16:55:41 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174460734 Fossil 1 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174465801

363 million- Eocene period]]> 2017-05-30 17:16:54 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174465801 Fossil 2 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466006

65 million- Jurassic Period]]> 2017-05-30 17:17:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466006 Fossil 3 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466067 295 million- Permian Age]]> 2017-05-30 17:17:46 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466067 Fossil 4 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466153 Fossil skeleton of Eryops, an amphibian of the Permian Period. 285-295 million- Permian Age]]> 2017-05-30 17:18:05 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466153 Fossil 5 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466291 FOUND | Rhineland - Pfalz, Germany
AGE | PERMIAN: 280 million years age
SIZE | 82.5" x 39.25" overall on original rock,
amphibian is 69" in length if straightened
"CONDITION | 100% ORIGINAL WITH MINOR REPAIR BUT
NO FABRICATION OR COMPOSITING OF
MULTIPLE AMPHIBIANS. RARE PRESENCE OF
SOFT TISSUE PRESERVED AS WELL AS
A COPROLITE STILL ARTICULATED ON THE BODY

ONE OF A VERY FEW THIS SIZE IN EXISTENCE
FAR MORE RARE THAN A T. REX SKELETON.
THE LARGEST AND ABSOLUTELY THE FINEST
EXAMPLE OF THIS AMPHIBIAN WE KNOW OF.
IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE ON! THIS WAS ONE OF
THE TOP APEX PREDATORS OF THE PERMIAN!!!"-(merck)]]> 2017-05-30 17:18:35 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174466291 Habitat Requirements gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174468328

Suitable water bodies for egg-laying and development of larvae.

Shelter from excessive heat, dryness and predators.

Suitable foraging areas and sufficiently large populations of prey species.

Suitable hibernation sites.

All amphibians must live near water because their soft skin provides little protection against dehydration. Some species of amphibians are active by day, while others move about at night. Their activity is also influenced by temperature and humidity. When taken from their territories or breeding grounds, they can find their way back by smell and instinctively by the position of the stars.

]]> 2017-05-30 17:27:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174468328 Characteristics gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174664855 Four characteristics shared by ALL are...

A backbone

Being cold-blooded

Live part of their lives in water and on land

Do not have scales, but have permeable skin.

The first characteristic, having a backbone, is rather obvious, as amphibians are larger creatures that require a backbone to hold them together. The second part is a very unique trait, and that is being cold-blooded. The reason that this is important is because amphibians are born and raised in the water, but when they get onto land, the intensity of the heat is much greater and being cold-blooded allows for the organism to shield itself from much of it. One of the most well known characteristics is the morphing that the amphibians go under when born. Amphibians are born in water, and go on to mature and grow until they have legs and can walk on land. The reason this is important is because it is one of the most important characteristic that identifies an amphibian as an amphibian. Finally, there is the permeable skin, shared by all amphibians. The permeable skin allows the organism to distribute heat throughout its skin while also remaining hydrated through it pores which absorb water and oxygen. However, although these are the four shared by EVERY amphibian, several species have many more specified. This means that thy require more specific and unique characteristics to help them survive

]]> 2017-05-31 16:58:06 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174664855 Tree Frog Karyotype Comparison gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174671249 4 separate types of tree frogs
Notice how even though they are the same type of frog, they all have unique chromosomes and amounts. ]]> 2017-05-31 17:26:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174671249 Gradualism gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174671665 "Amphibians differ from other vertebrates in three main ways: first, newborn hatchlings live underwater and breathe via gills, which then disappear as the juvenile undergoes a "metamorphosis" into its adult, air-breathing form (juveniles and adults can look very different, as in the case of baby tadpoles and full-grown frogs)."-(Strauss)

Started as Tetrapods. Fish that grew legs and walked onto land. About 400 million years ago.

Eventually became what we knew as true amphibians. Took 100 million years.

The Triadobatrachus branched off. Had a tail, unusually large amount of vertebrae, and could only flail its back legs instead of jumping. However, it would be the founder of what would be known as frogs.

Modern amphibians (such as lizards and frogs) branched off from a common ancestor that lived anywhere from the middle Permian to the early Triassic periods.

Big debate over where and when and how the modern amphibians came to be. Still a debate that continually is argued over and fought about by scientists.]]> 2017-05-31 17:27:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174671665 Sources gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174708253 https://www.thoughtco.com/300-million-years-of-amphibian-evolution-1093315

www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/amphibians/introduction-to-amphibians

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

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110413091150AABdO2Z

https://www.paleodirect.com/amph013-beyond-rare-6-foot-complete-giant-prehistoric-sclerocephalus-amphibian-on-original-matrix-from-before-the-first-dinosaurs/

https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/evolution-and-the-origin-of-species-18/understanding-evolution-124/charles-darwin-and-natural-selection-495-11722/

http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/evolution/darwin/summary.html

http://www.michellecaldwell.com/linkfiles/scaredcricket/articles/other/evolution.html

http://labs.bio.unc.edu/harris/Courses/biol104/jan13.htm

http://worms.zoology.wisc.edu/urchins/SUcleavage_radial.html

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radial%20cleavage

http://study.com/academy/lesson/divergent-convergent-evolution-definitions-examples.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Divergent_evolution&ved=0ahUKEwiyvPCe_KbUAhVs04MKHdIcCugQFghXMAw&usg=AFQjCNF0F2Osls4XT03V7xvGxLjl1aXuTg&sig2=IFm5imoNNeduVmX8ZGIULQ

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

]]> 2017-05-31 21:28:20 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174708253 In Conclusion... gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174708612 Amphibians, 400 million years ago, began to evolve and diversify as an attempt to escape the water. Scientists are unsure of the exact reasoning behind their evolution, but their main assumption is that it was either for food or because their ponds dried up. These amphibians are believed to once have been what the modern day lungfish is. Over time, they grew a pair of lungs as an extra way of receiving air, a pair of nostrils, and bones and tendons in their fins to make them able to survive on land. Theoretically, if the amphibians were to have stayed in the water, the population would have outweighed the amount of resources, ultimately leading to environmental disaster. With large groups and periods of chaotic starvation and death, it would lead to negative environmental effects. Although the strongest would survive and be able to conquer their specified area, having only one type of species creates a narrow gene pool which can lead to extinction.

These adaptations were amphibian's process of descent with modification as there became numerous species of lungfish, each with their own unique traits. Several of these species died almost instantaneously as they modified negatively and went extinct. However, the fit species, survived and were able to reproduce and have more offspring ensuring the survival of their species. The species survived were proof that natural selection took place and allowed for certain species to gain the advantage over others, ultimately leading to their survival.]]> 2017-05-31 21:31:54 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174708612 Taxonomy gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174857056 Taxonomy is an extremely helpful way to identify the relatedness between species as it shows the relationship between them. Taxonomy shows from the kingdom of the species, all the way down to the species. And the way that this is helpful, is because it can identify if two species were possibly once one and broke apart due to evolution, or started as two separate species and interbred to become closely related. For example, the taxonomy of the three exemplary organism allows scientists and researchers to identify their relatedness down to class, acknowledging their relatedness. However, due to environmental and social differences, the species gain a more different and individualized image.

All three organisms share the characteristics for being an amphibian in many ways. For example. each one relies on the temperature and reacts to it in its own way. The Tree frog stays in the trees and absorbs much moisture to keep the skin soft. The Chinese Salamander remains in water fro majority of its time to maintain homeostasis. it takes much moisture and water to hydrate its skin as it grows up to 5 ft. and 9 in. Finally, the Komodo Dragon absorbs as much water as it can't keep its skin moist in the dry and hot climate.

However, although they share many traits, as the taxonomy points out, they also have many differences. For example, the Komodo Dragon has a peculiar type of skin to deal with the heat. Although all skins must be hydrated, they all have different textures as climate and environment have direct impacts among them. For the Komodo Dragon, its leathery skin allows for it to absorb much heat without harming its insides and soft skin underneath. The Tree Frog coats itself in a greasy and slimy coating to allow its skin to breathe and absorb the water in the air, allowing it to breathe. Finally, the Chinese Salamander has semipermeable skin that is porous and absorbs oxygen from water as almost its entire life is spent underwater. It is rarely seen out of water. In addition to being semi permeable, the skin also discharges a sticky white skin secretion to repel predators. ]]> 2017-06-01 17:20:33 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/174857056 Embryology gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175138922 In Amphibian Embryology, they are all similar through several reasons. The first is because of their radial cleavage. Radial cleavage is different from other types of cleave, such as spiral, because in spiral cleavage, the deuterostomes bend around the embryo whereas in radial, they line up directly and symmetrically with the embryo.]]> 2017-06-04 22:39:19 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175138922 Evolutionary Mechanisms gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175144487 1) Emigration
Amphibians lived in water as fish for possibly millions of years however, they emigrated to land when they discovered an easier and more reliable habitat. When amphibians lived in water, they constantly had to deal with frozen lakes in winter, (depending on location), or lack of other food to feed on based on the size of the community. Amphibians decided to emigrate and evolve to live in a different area and environment, and as a result, their bodies changed to adapt to the new environment and obtain new resources.

2) Micro-evolution
Visual: Picture to the left below karyotype (Over time, they had to adjust to their environment)

An example of microevolution would be when amphibians evolved into reptiles. Tetrapods, the first vertebrate species that could walk, were the beginning of amphibians. However, several species of these amphibians were in extremely dry and hot locations which ultimately lead to them growing scales. These scales then eventually led to other characteristics that would allow the organism no longer be classified as an amphibian, but a rather a reptile. These reptiles came from amphibians but due to their circumstances they had to completely change their genetics for survival. All amphibians in one way or another, had to adjust their skin composition as a way to deal with their new environment on land. Scientists believe it only took a decade or so for amphibians to develop a skin smooth and moist enough that could support themselves.]]> 2017-06-05 00:16:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175144487 Micro-Evolution gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175146070 2017-06-05 00:37:56 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175146070 Divergent Evolution gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175236506 Amphibians went through divergent evolution because they all started from the same ancestor, but evolved and speciated in their own unique ways based on their circumstances. Divergent evolution occurs when two different species share a common ancestor but have different characteristics from one another. This is probably the type of evolution that first comes to mind when the topic of evolution comes up as the idea of evolution is that all organism came from one single called organism first. Through divergent evolution, amphibians were able were able to evolve from fish and then continue to evolve to a point where they could survive as efficiently on lands as they were in water.

]]> 2017-06-05 16:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175236506 Anatomy gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175236860 All amphibians have similar anatomy. Every amphibian has permeable skin as they are born in water and use water throughout their lives. An amphibian's permeable skin is what allows it to survive on land and live in the water as well.]]> 2017-06-05 16:01:58 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175236860 Fossil 6 gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175238987 300 million years ago- Early Permian]]> 2017-06-05 16:11:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175238987 Fossil Record gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175239205 Through examination of the fossils, scientists can evaluate the slight but important changes in amphibians over time. Fossil 3, is an organism that is still evolving into its true amphibian form. although it's already classified as an amphibian since it already can survive and land, hence he legs, it still has a long tail unnecessarily which will eventually be shortened and instead grow its legs for movement. The other fossils, with the exception of fossil 2, all share the same features and developing stages of evolution. In fossil 2, a person can evaluate it and see its skull which has clearly been evolved to its full potential and most modern look.]]> 2017-06-05 16:13:00 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175239205 Frog Anatomy gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175298842 2017-06-05 23:56:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175298842 Komodo Dragon Skeleton gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175298926 2017-06-05 23:57:23 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175298926 Chinese Salamander, Frog, and Caecilian Skeletons gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175299096 2017-06-05 23:59:12 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175299096 Salamander Embryology gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175300026 2017-06-06 00:10:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175300026 Frog Embryology gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175300177 2017-06-06 00:12:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175300177 Salamander Karyotype Comaprison gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175419696 A Female Salamander karyotype Figure 1(a). Male salamander karyotype Figure 1(b). Both have 22 chromosomes but each one is different when compared to the other gender's chromosomes.]]> 2017-06-06 16:06:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175419696 Chromosome Comparison gf795 https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175420446 The two organism have different amount of chromosomes because of the different amount of genes between the two. Frogs are less complex and needy than salamanders. Frogs eat flies and insects and have one purpose, to survive and reproduce. Salamanders however, must move from one location to another and eat a larger variety of food to compensate for their activity. Salamanders range in size and can be as small as one inch, or as big as 6 ft. The complexity of the organism directly impacts its amount of genes and chromosomes.]]> 2017-06-06 16:10:54 UTC https://padlet.com/gf795/4gttbp5h7hpq/wish/175420446