So are reptiles the direct descendants of dinosaurs? They may look like them, but be prepared to be surprised as james brereton msc reveals the truth!
Many modern reptiles seen in collections today can show a striking resemblance to a more primitive group of animals – the dinosaurs. From the armoured horned lizard (Phryonosoma platyrhinos) to the raptoresque bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), dinosaurs and reptiles alike both fascinate us. Despite their perceived similarity in appearance however, many reptiles share only a distant genetic lineage with the prehistoric ‘terror lizards’, whereas others have a much closer relationship with the dinosaur lineage.
Indeed, some of the closest-living relatives of the dinosaur are surprising. This article will reveal the relationships between reptiles and their larger, extinct cousins (twice removed), as well as explaining how these relationships affect the biology and behaviour of our modern day charges.
Emergence of reptiles
Reptiles are not directly descended from dinosaurs. The first reptiles evolved from what was originally an amphibious ancestor, as early as 310 to 320 million years ago. The changes required to transform an amphibian into a reptile occurred gradually over the course of millions of years. Confined to wetlands and freshwater, amphibians were unable to take advantage of the scrubland, forests and desert habitats available.
The changes in amphibian biology that ultimately led to reptiles reflect essential adaptations toward conserving water, providing an ability to colonise terrestrial habitats in which water is relatively scarce. The characteristic amphibian skin, so important in absorbing oxygen, became replaced with a dry, scaled skin which is much more effective in retaining water. The moist eggs of amphibians, which need to be deposited in water or a high humidity environment, became encased in a hard shell, meaning that the entire reptile life cycle could occur outside of water.
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Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Practical Reptile Keeping.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Males Not Required!
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In Search Of A Pet Turtle
Please can you give me some advice on keeping a turtle?
Entering The World Of The Bizarre Olm
Reports on one of the strangest amphibians in the world, which is to be found in cave systems in Europe.
Why Snakes Don't Faint!
Paul Donovan considers the remarkable ways in which snakes can function, thanks to their circulatory systems, which are highly tuned to reflect their individual lifestyles.
A Dinosaur In Your Home? Unearthing The Ancestry Of Living Reptiles
So are reptiles the direct descendants of dinosaurs? They may look like them, but be prepared to be surprised as james brereton msc reveals the truth!
A Model Career For Herpetology
There are a lucky few people whose career helps them to pursue their interest in studying reptiles and amphibians – sometimes in unexpected ways. David Alderton talks with one of them.
Care & Breeding Of The Black-eyed Tree Frog
Introduction While the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) takes the limelight in media terms, being popular for advertising, and also in amphibian collections, the black-eyed tree frog, also known as Morelet’s tree frog (A. moreletii) is an equally endearing frog to keep. A large, vibrant green species, this wild amphibian is under threat in the wild. Every effort is therefore required to increase the numbers of these tree frogs, based on the stock that is currently available, and hopefully raise their profile amongst hobbyist too.
