Natural Sciences 360 Legacy of Life Lecture 13 Dr. Stuart S. Sumida Living Amphibians – the Environmental Monitors REPTILES AND THEIR RELATIVES Living Frogs and Salamanders (Batrachia) – the environmental monitors. Possible causes of amphibian declines include: •Changes in climate - acid rain, ultraviolet radiation, drought, ozone layer depletion, etc. •Loss of wetlands •Invasive predators (such as trout and bullfrogs) •Disease (bacteria, viruses, fungus) or parasites •Pollution - pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, etc. New Discovery! A LUNGLESS FROG! What we used to think... Mammals Birds “Mammal-like Reptiles” PRIMITIVE REPTILES Amphibians Um.........NO. Mammals Birds “Mammal-like Reptiles” PRIMITIVE REPTILES Amphibians Panderichthyid Most Reptilia Sarcoptrygians Amphibians Diadectomorpha Synapsida (including Aves) Panderichthyid Most Synapsida Reptilia Sarcoptrygians Amphibians Diadectomorpha (Mammals) (including Aves) AMNIOTA (FOR SURE) Panderichthyid Most Synapsida Reptilia Sarcoptrygians Amphibians Diadectomorpha (Mammals) (including Aves) AMNIOTA (FOR SURE) Amniota? Panderichthyid Most Synapsida Reptilia Sarcoptrygians Amphibians Diadectomorpha (Mammals) (including Aves) AMNIOTA (FOR SURE Amniota? TETRAPODA