If you are planning on purchasing a new amphibian for your backyard, you may be interested in learning a few interesting facts about them. These include the life cycles of Caecilians, Anura, Ectotherms, Oacian and Chytrid fungus. All of these topics will help you learn more about your new pet, and you’ll be able to make the right choice.
Anura
One of the five most diverse vertebrate orders, frogs have a diverse range of characteristics. From their large and venomous North American bullfrogs to their tiny, delicate frogs of the Solomon Islands, frogs have characteristics that make them highly adaptable to a variety of environments.
Frogs are part of the order Anura. Like all other amphibians, frogs have a lifecycle that includes both aquatic and terrestrial stages. During the breeding season, frogs produce a wide range of vocalizations to attract mates. Typically, frogs lay eggs in water, but some species deposit their eggs on the undersides of rocks or lee sides of boulders.
The frog fauna of Melanesia is highly diverse and understudied. However, the majority of species in the region are under threat of extinction. In particular, many frogs are endangered due to habitat loss, pollution and disease.
Caecilians
Caecilians are a species of amphibian with many similarities to frogs and salamanders. These worm-like animals live in tropical areas. They can grow to about two feet long. Many have tail fins for swimming. Some have pink underbellies.
Most caecilians live below ground, burrowing in the soil. A majority of them live in Central America, South America, Africa, Asia and South East Asia. Although they are found throughout the world, they tend to inhabit wet and humid tropical areas.
Caecilians are the only tentacled amphibians. This may be a result of coiled tissues that may give them strength. Unlike frogs and salamanders, caecilians do not have a specialized membrane that they rely on to smell chemicals in the air. The only way they are able to smell is by using a pair of sensory tentacles.
Caecilian life cycle
Caecilians are legless amphibians. They are found in tropical areas throughout the world. The largest caecilians can reach up to five feet. Most species live underground, but a few of them have aquatic lives.
Caecilians are classified into ten families. One family, called the Scolecomorphidae, is the only terrestrial vertebrate order without a middle ear. Despite their differences in morphology, they all share a suite of morphologic features.
The fetal dentition of viviparous and dematotrophic species is homologous. However, the neural connections of the interhyoideus have changed during integration into the jaw closing system. This may have resulted in the development of a more specialized fetal dentition.
Although the phylogeny of caecilians is still unclear, they have most likely evolved from Lepospondyls, a group of ancestral tetrapods. These animals have reduced limbs, a thicker skull, and an enlarged alimentary system.
Ectotherms
Ectotherms are amphibians and reptiles. They are cold-blooded and rely on external heat sources. Although they can be highly adapted to their environment, ectotherms are highly vulnerable to climate warming.
A number of studies have identified that ectotherms are intolerant of temperature extremes. These are referred to as critical temperatures. Critical temperatures vary with latitude. For example, tropical ectotherms will reach critical temperatures much faster than high-latitude species.
Many ectotherms have complex life cycles. Some develop sexual dimorphism. The reproductive strategy can drive gender differences in lifespan. Another important feature of ectothermic animals is temperature-induced plasticity. Adaptive behavioural plasticity may play a significant role in minimizing the adverse effects of thermal stress events.
Temperature increases associated with climate change have the potential to impact growth, reproductive rate, and ageing. However, these effects are largely speculative and should be evaluated with species-specific knowledge on evolutionary adaptability, physiological mechanisms, and environmental factors.
Chytrid fungus
The chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is an infectious disease that causes a number of health and ecological issues. Its presence and spread are now widespread. Infectious chytrid diseases are believed to cause declines in hundreds of amphibian species. Some amphibians are resistant to the pathogen, while others can be infected.
This infectious disease is spread by frogs and other amphibians. It is also carried by pond water. Once a frog is infected, it can travel to other ponds and streams. When the fungus comes into contact with a host frog, it attacks the skin of the frog. This infection can result in severe cutaneous erythema, abnormal cell loss, hyperkeratosis, and lethargy.
One example of an amphibian affected by chytridiomycosis is the mountain yellow-legged frog. In the northern part of its range, the species has declined.
