Amphibia-Arboreal Forms

Previous: Burrowing Form

A number of animals are adapted to Arborial habitats and are called tree frog eg. some species of Rana,Rhacophorus,Hyla etc.They belong to different families. They have certain modifications for clinging on trees and climbing purpose.
1)They have adhesive or sucking disc at end of digits.
2)They develop opposable toes.
3)Their eggs develop mostly inside large eggs.


THE END.

Habitat and Adaptation in Amphibia cont'd- Burrowing Forms

Burrowing Forms:

They are found mostly in order Apoda and some other amphibians (Anurans).Apodans are highly specialized for burrowing habit and have following features:

1)Vermiform bodies.
2)Compact bony roofed skull.
3)Absence of limbs.
4)Presence of reduced eyes usually hidden in skin.
5)Presence of some special structure to dig burrow.
6)Dull colored skin.

Next:Arboreal Forms

Habitat and Adaptation in Amphibia continued - Amphibious forms

Amphibious Forms


These are certain amphibians which can live on land and water with same expertise eg.some animals have swimming mode of locomotion in water and jumping habit on land.They use their hind limb for swimming in place of tail fin as in case of aquatic amphibians. Aquatic adaptations found in these Anurans are as follows-
1)Compact boat shaped body.
2)Highly developed powerful muscles in hind limbs for effective swimming strokes.
3)Webbed hind limb digits.
4)Cutaneous respiration.


Next:Burrowing Forms

Habitat and adaptation in Amphibia Page 6- Aquatic Forms

They are found to inhabit water bodies and adopt swimming mode of locomotion.They have certain modifications for swimming purpose as well as aquatic habitat.
1)Eel type body construction.
2)Presence of gills for respiration.
3)Development of fins.
4)Presence of weak limbs.
5)Lidless eyes.
Eg.Salamander,Proteus etc


Continued on Page 7 - Amphibious Forms

Habitat and Adaptation in Amphibia continued Page 5-Terrestrial Forms

Terrestrial forms

They are toads and frogs. They are less dependent on water for their survival. They require water only during breeding season. For locomotion they have jumping habit and in order to avoid enemies they have small and stout body.For locomotion they have certain modifications as-
1)Elongation of hindlimb and loss of tail.
2)Development of powerful muscles.
3)Shortening of vertebral column with very little mobility to avoid jerk during jumping.
4)Attachment of pelvic girdle to vertebral column is shifted quite forward.
Eg. Rana,Bufo etc.


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Habitat and Adaptations in Amphibia continued Page 4

They have not been to leave water completely. Modern amphibian forms are reported to inhabit many possible habitat as aquatic, burrowing, arborial and other possible habitats. In these forms modification or adaptation take place according to habitat. These habitats are listed below along with modification found in these amphibians:
Terrestrial forms
Aquatic firms
Amphibious forms
Burrowing forms
Arborial forms

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