The document provides an overview of the classification and characteristics of vertebrate animals. It discusses the key groups of vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. For each group, it outlines some distinguishing physical attributes and examples of common types within that group.

1. Vertebrate Animals Earth’s Consumers

2. Classification - Taxonomy Linnaean System King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup Grouped by physical characteristics 3 Superseding Domains Eukaryota, Bacteria, Archaea Cladograms Phylogenetic sorting Genetic research Evolutionary relationships

3. Vertebrates – Phylum Chordata Embryonic notochord develops into spine Endoskeleton (internal bones for support) Temperature regulation Ectotherm (cold-blooded) Cannot internally regulate body temp. Cannot live in cold climates Behavior controls body temp. (swimming, burrowing, basking, etc.) Endotherm (warm-blooded) Can control internal body temp. Metabolism generates body heat Sweating/panting provide cooling body fat, feathers insulate

4. Vertebrate groups Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals

5. Fish Largest class of vertebrates Live in nearly every single aquatic habitat imaginable Have fins and scales Breath through gills Closed circulatory system Four chambered heart Ectothermic (cold-blooded) Swim bladder controls buoyancy Most lay eggs most fertilized externally

6. Groups of Fish Jawless Fish ( Agnatha) Have mouths of soft tissue with no true teeth Only vertebrates without a spine (as adults) Lampreys, Hagfish Cartilaginous Fish ( Chrondrichthyes) Skeleton built entirely of cartilage Sharks, sea rays, skates Bony Fish ( Osteichthyes) Majority of fish fall in this order Carp, sea horse, perch, etc.

7. Amphibians Amphibian = “double life” Live in both water and land Life cycles includes metamorphosis Most larvae are fishlike while adults are terrestrial carnivores Larvae breathe through skin/gills and adults use lungs Ectotherms Lay eggs in water fertilized externally Closed circulatory system three chambered heart

8. Life Cycle of a Frog Adult Frog Young Frog Fertilized Eggs Tadpoles Adults are typically ready to breed in about one to two years. Frog eggs are laid in water and undergo external fertilization. The eggs hatch into tadpoles a few days to several weeks later. Tadpoles gradually grow limbs, lose their tails and gills, and become meat-eaters as they develop into terrestrial adults.

9. Groups of Amphibians Salamanders Long bodies and tails Adults are carnivorous Usually live in moist woods Frogs and Toads Lack tails Frogs have long legs and are usually tied to water Toads have shorter legs and not as closely tied to water Caecilians (not snakes) Legless animals that burrow in moist soil Have fishlike scales

10. Reptiles Dry, scaly skin Helps prevent loss of water in dry environments Terestrial eggs Amniotic eggs don’t need to stay in water Internal Fertilization Breathe with lungs Ectotherms Closed circulatory system Heart = two atria/one or two ventricles

11. Groups of Reptiles Lizards Have legs & clawed toes External ears Moveable eyelids Snakes Venom Smell with tongue Crocodiles and Alligators Long, broad snout & squat body Alligators live in freshwater Crocodiles in fresh or saltwater Turtles and Tortoises Turtles are aquatic Tortoises are terrestrial

12. Birds Nearly 10,000 bird species Outer covering of feathers Two legs for walking or perching Endothermic Feathers provide insulation Beak or Bills adapted to type of food they eat Amniotic eggs Internal fertilization Many birds mate for life

13. Types of Birds More than thirty orders of birds Some of the most common Perching Birds largest order; many are songbirds sparrows, crows, cardinals, etc. Birds of Prey fierce predators with hooked bills large talons condors, hawks, owls, eagles, etc. Herons & Relatives Wade in aquatic habitats storks, herons, cranes Ostriches & Relatives flightless birds move by running or swimming ostriches, emus, penguins, etc.

14. Mammals Endotherms Hair or fur covers body Mammary glands Produce milk to nourish young Breathe air through lungs Four-chambered heart Internal fertilization Give birth to live young

15. Types of Mammals Marsupial short gestation (yolk-type nourishment) birthed embryo develops in pouch kangaroo, opossum, koala bear, wombat, Tazmanian devils Placental long gestation (placental nourishment) whale, elephant, shrew, armadillo, wolf, horse, sheep, bat, human Monotremes lay eggs duck-billed platypus, echidna