REPTILES: Squamata

kar24239_ch07_240-293.qxd 12/22/10 4:44 PM Page 270

Parietal
unit

Snout

Gusanos lagartos
unit
• Quadrate
unit

(Amphisbaenians)
Prey

Basal
unit

excavadores (a)
Mandible

• Modificación del esqueleto:

diapsido Opening

• Esqueleto kinetico
(b)
Closing (c)

• Manipulación de la presa
FIGURE 7.40 Kinesis of a lizard skull. (a) Joints within the skull allow the snout to lift upward or bend downward about its
mesokinetic articulation with the rest of the braincase.This results in a change in the angle of closure of the teeth when the animal grabs
its prey. (b) These movable units of the lizard skull can be represented as a kinematic mechanism by linkages (heavy lines) and points of
rotation (circles). Compared with the rest position of these linkages (a), geometric changes are shown during opening (middle) and closing
(bottom) on the prey. (c) The functional significance of cranial kinesis in lizards is related to the resulting change in angle of tooth rows.
Kinesis bends the snout so that both rows close directly on the prey (bottom).Were this not the case (middle and top), jaw closure would
be more of a scissors action, tending to squirt the prey back out of the mouth.
Based on the research of T. H. Frazzetta.

In snakes, the frontal and parietal roofing bones have ectopterygoid. The maxilla rotates upon the prefrontal, from
grown down around the sides of the skull to form most of the which it is suspended from the braincase. In many snakes,
walls of the braincase as well (figure 7.42). Their enlarge- especially in advanced venomous snakes such as vipers, the
 at the climax of their radiation. Snakes
appeared during the late Cretaceous
period, probably from a group of lizards
whose descendants include the Gila
00 1:14 PM Page 569
monster and monitor lizards. Two spe-
Pterygoid Lower jaw
Figure 28-11
Kinetic diapsid skull of a modern lizard (monitor lizard, Varanus sp.) showing the jo
snout and upper jaw to move on the rest of the skull. The quadrate can move at i
ventrally at both the lower jaw and the pterygoid. The front part of the braincase is

REPTILES: Squamata
cializations in particular
hic09617_ch28.qxd PM Page 569allowing the snout to be raised. Note that the lower temporal opening is very large
characterize
6/7/00 1:14
snakes: extreme elongation of the body border; this modification of the diapsid condition, common in modern lizards, prov
expansion of large jaw muscles. The upper temporal opening lies dorsal and med
and accompanying displacement and
squamosal arch and is not visible in this drawing.
rearrangement of internal organs; and
CHAPTER
specializations 28 large
for eating Reptilian
prey.Groups
The 569
amphisbaenians (worm lizards), which CHAPTER 2
first appear in the fossil record of the
hic09617_ch28.qxd 6/7/00
early 1:14 PM Page
Cenozoic era,569
have structural spe-
cializations associated with a burrowing
habit.

Viviparity in reptiles is limited to squa- CHAPTER 28 Reptilian Groups

mates, and has evolved at least 100 separate
times. Evolution of viviparity is usually asso-
• Diversos: Terrestres, ciated with cold climates and occurs by
increasing the length of time the eggs are

acuáticos, excavadores kept within the oviduct. Developing young

respire through extraembryonic mem-
branes and obtain nutrition from yolk sacs
Figure 28-12
Tokay, Gekko gecko, of Southeast Asia has a true voice and is named after the str
to-kay, to-kay call.

8-13 (Amphisbaena), áereos

e marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus
(lecithotrophy) or via the mother (pla-
centotrophy), or some combination of
in other reptiles is fused to the skull, netic than that of lizar
the Galápagos Islands, feeding
each. Figure 28-13
Figure 28-14 A large male marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus
has a joint at its dorsal end, as well as tional skull mobility
on algae. This is the only marine its usual articulation with the lower major factor in the d
Geckos
A chameleon snares a dragonfly. After cautiously edging close toofitsthe
cristatus, Galápagos
target, Islands, feeding
the chameleon suddenly
•
world. It has special salt-removing
e eye orbits and long claws that lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet toThe diapsid
the branch. skulls
underwater
A split
lizard in
onof
second
theancestral
world.
squamates
algae.
later, This is the only
it launches
It has
its jaw.
sticky-
special salt-removing
Figure
A chameleon
28-14
marineIn addition, there are joints in
snares a dragonfly. After
lizards and snakes.
cautiously edging close to
cling to the bottom while feeding on are The
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. modified
eyes of from
this the
common European diapsid
chameleon the palate and across the roof of the
(Chamaeleo
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to condition
provide binocular glands
visionofandindermal
the eye orbits
excellent and
depth long claws
perception. that that allow lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet to the branch. A split s
nd green algae, its principal diet. It by loss bone ven- skull the snout to be tilted Suborder Sauria: Liza
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. The eyes of this comm
depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet) enable it to cling to the bottom while feeding on
tral and posterior to the lower tem-
small red and green algae, its principal diet. It
upward (Figure 28-11). The
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to an
specialized extremely
provide binoculardiverse
vision and
• Iguanidos
submerged more than 30 minutes.
Figure 28-13
external ear that snakesA lack.
poral
The
large male
opening.
innerevolution
allowed
marine iguana,and
This
in most
remain
Amblyrhynchus
modification
lizards
submerged more
has
may dive to depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet)
and
mobility
than 30mates
of the skull enables
minutes.to seize and manipulate their
squa- terrestrial, burrowing,
and aerial members. A
ear of lizards is variable in structure,
cristatus, of the Galápagos
snakes of a mobile Islands,skull feeding having mov- prey, it also externalincreases earthethat effective
snakes lack. The familiar
inner groups in this
underwater
but as with other reptiles, hearing on algae. This is the only marine Figure 28-14
s that enable them to walk able does
joints. Such a skull is calledA chameleon a closing force ear of the
snares a dragonfly.
jaw
ofAfter
lizards musculature.
is variable
cautiously edging closein toare geckos (Figure 28-
structure,
its target, the chameleon
lizard in the world. It has special salt-removing
Camaleones
own and on vertical surfaces; not play an important role in kinetic the livesskull. Theclaws quadrate, which The skull of but
snakes isfeet
even
to themore ki-A split mostly nocturnal form
•
, including most of the famil- of most lizards. Geckos
glands in the eye orbits and
are exceptions
enable it to cling to the bottom
toe longpads
upside whiledown
that
that enable
feedingand
lunges
on on tipped,
them
vertical
to walk
forward,
foot-long
anchoring its tailasand
tongue tonot
surfaces; trapplay
with
the prey.
other
an The
reptiles,
branch.
eyes of this
important role
hearing
common
second does
in theEuropean
later, it launches
lives chameleon (C
its

World lizards, often brightly because males are strongly vocal (to
small red and green algae,iguanids, its principal diet. It
including chamaeleon)
most of the famil- are swiveled of most lizards. Geckos are exceptions depth perceptio
forward to provide binocular vision and excellent
with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory andmay discourage
dive to depthstheexceeding iar 10 New m (33 feet) lizards, often brightly
World because males are strongly vocal (to
oat fans, and a group approach of other males, and remain and submerged
they more than 30 minutes.
colored with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory and discourage the
udes the remarkable marine must, of course, hear their own vocal- and throat fans, and a group external ear that snakes lack. Theofinner
approach other males, and they
f the Galápagos Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal- that includes ear
the remarkable marine of lizards is variable in structure,
must, of course, hear their own vocal-
); skinks, with elongate bod- ize in defensive behavior. toe pads that enable Figure them 28-15
to walk but as with other reptiles, hearing does
Aiguana
glass lizard,of Ophisaurus
the Galápagos sp., of the Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal-
educed limbs in many species; Many lizards liveupside in thedown world’s and onsoutheastern
vertical
ure 28-13);United surfaces;
skinks, not
with play an important role in the lives
ize in defensive behavior. Figure 2
States. This elongate
legless lizardbod-
of A glass liza
meleons, a group of arboreal hot and arid regions. iguanids,
Since theirincluding
skin most
feels
ies and stiffofandthebrittle
reduced famil-
tolimbs
the touch in most
and
many haslizards.
an
species; Geckos are Many exceptions
lizards live in the world’s
southeaste
 at the climax of their radiation. Snakes
appeared during the late Cretaceous
period, probably from a group of lizards
whose descendants include the Gila
00 1:14 PM Page 569
monster and monitor lizards. Two spe-
Pterygoid Lower jaw
Figure 28-11
Kinetic diapsid skull of a modern lizard (monitor lizard, Varanus sp.) showing the jo
snout and upper jaw to move on the rest of the skull. The quadrate can move at i
ventrally at both the lower jaw and the pterygoid. The front part of the braincase is

REPTILES: Squamata
cializations in particular
hic09617_ch28.qxd PM Page 569allowing the snout to be raised. Note that the lower temporal opening is very large
characterize
6/7/00 1:14
snakes: extreme elongation of the body border; this modification of the diapsid condition, common in modern lizards, prov
expansion of large jaw muscles. The upper temporal opening lies dorsal and med
and accompanying displacement and
squamosal arch and is not visible in this drawing.
rearrangement of internal organs; and
CHAPTER
specializations 28 large
for eating Reptilian
prey.Groups
The 569
amphisbaenians (worm lizards), which CHAPTER 2
first appear in the fossil record of the
hic09617_ch28.qxd 6/7/00
early 1:14 PM Page
Cenozoic era,569
have structural spe-
cializations associated with a burrowing
habit.

Viviparity in reptiles is limited to squa- CHAPTER 28 Reptilian Groups

mates, and has evolved at least 100 separate
times. Evolution of viviparity is usually asso-
• Diversos: Terrestres, ciated with cold climates and occurs by
increasing the length of time the eggs are

acuáticos, excavadores kept within the oviduct. Developing young

respire through extraembryonic mem-
branes and obtain nutrition from yolk sacs
Figure 28-12
Tokay, Gekko gecko, of Southeast Asia has a true voice and is named after the str
to-kay, to-kay call.

8-13 (Amphisbaena), áereos

e marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus
(lecithotrophy) or via the mother (pla-
centotrophy), or some combination of
in other reptiles is fused to the skull, netic than that of lizar
the Galápagos Islands, feeding
each. Figure 28-13
Figure 28-14 A large male marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus
has a joint at its dorsal end, as well as tional skull mobility
on algae. This is the only marine its usual articulation with the lower major factor in the d
Geckos
A chameleon snares a dragonfly. After cautiously edging close toofitsthe
cristatus, Galápagos
target, Islands, feeding
the chameleon suddenly
•
world. It has special salt-removing
e eye orbits and long claws that lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet toThe diapsid
the branch. skulls
underwater
A split
lizard in
onof
second
theancestral
world.
squamates
algae.
later, This is the only
it launches
It has
its jaw.
sticky-
special salt-removing
Figure
A chameleon
28-14
marineIn addition, there are joints in
snares a dragonfly. After
lizards and snakes.
cautiously edging close to
cling to the bottom while feeding on are The
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. modified
eyes of from
this the
common European diapsid
chameleon the palate and across the roof of the
(Chamaeleo
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to condition
provide binocular glands
visionofandindermal
the eye orbits
excellent and
depth long claws
perception. that that allow lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet to the branch. A split s
nd green algae, its principal diet. It by loss bone ven- skull the snout to be tilted Suborder Sauria: Liza
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. The eyes of this comm
depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet) enable it to cling to the bottom while feeding on
tral and posterior to the lower tem-
small red and green algae, its principal diet. It
upward (Figure 28-11). The
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to an
specialized extremely
provide binoculardiverse
vision and
• Iguanidos
submerged more than 30 minutes.
Figure 28-13
external ear that snakesA lack.
poral
The
large male
opening.
innerevolution
allowed
marine iguana,and
This
in most
remain
Amblyrhynchus
modification
lizards
submerged more
has
may dive to depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet)
and
mobility
than 30mates
of the skull enables
minutes.to seize and manipulate their
squa- terrestrial, burrowing,
and aerial members. A
ear of lizards is variable in structure,
cristatus, of the Galápagos
snakes of a mobile Islands,skull feeding having mov- prey, it also externalincreases earthethat effective
snakes lack. The familiar
inner groups in this
underwater
but as with other reptiles, hearing on algae. This is the only marine Figure 28-14
s that enable them to walk able does
joints. Such a skull is calledA chameleon a closing force ear of the
snares a dragonfly.
jaw
ofAfter
lizards musculature.
is variable
cautiously edging closein toare geckos (Figure 28-
structure,
its target, the chameleon
lizard in the world. It has special salt-removing
Camaleones
own and on vertical surfaces; not play an important role in kinetic the livesskull. Theclaws quadrate, which The skull of but
snakes isfeet
even
to themore ki-A split mostly nocturnal form
•
, including most of the famil- of most lizards. Geckos
glands in the eye orbits and
are exceptions
enable it to cling to the bottom
toe longpads
upside whiledown
that
that enable
feedingand
lunges
on on tipped,
them
vertical
to walk
forward,
foot-long
anchoring its tailasand
tongue tonot
surfaces; trapplay
with
the prey.
other
an The
reptiles,
branch.
eyes of this
important role
hearing
common
second does
in theEuropean
later, it launches
lives chameleon (C
its

World lizards, often brightly because males are strongly vocal (to
small red and green algae,iguanids, its principal diet. It
including chamaeleon)
most of the famil- are swiveled of most lizards. Geckos are exceptions depth perceptio
forward to provide binocular vision and excellent
with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory andmay discourage
dive to depthstheexceeding iar 10 New m (33 feet) lizards, often brightly
World because males are strongly vocal (to
oat fans, and a group approach of other males, and remain and submerged
they more than 30 minutes.
colored with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory and discourage the
udes the remarkable marine must, of course, hear their own vocal- and throat fans, and a group external ear that snakes lack. Theofinner
approach other males, and they
f the Galápagos Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal- that includes ear
the remarkable marine of lizards is variable in structure,
must, of course, hear their own vocal-
); skinks, with elongate bod- ize in defensive behavior. toe pads that enable Figure them 28-15
to walk but as with other reptiles, hearing does
Aiguana
glass lizard,of Ophisaurus
the Galápagos sp., of the Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal-
educed limbs in many species; Many lizards liveupside in thedown world’s and onsoutheastern
vertical
ure 28-13);United surfaces;
skinks, not
with play an important role in the lives
ize in defensive behavior. Figure 2
States. This elongate
legless lizardbod-
of A glass liza
meleons, a group of arboreal hot and arid regions. iguanids,
Since theirincluding
skin most
feels
ies and stiffofandthebrittle
reduced famil-
tolimbs
the touch in most
and
many haslizards.
an
species; Geckos are Many exceptions
lizards live in the world’s
southeaste
 at the climax of their radiation. Snakes
appeared during the late Cretaceous
period, probably from a group of lizards
whose descendants include the Gila
00 1:14 PM Page 569
monster and monitor lizards. Two spe-
Pterygoid Lower jaw
Figure 28-11
Kinetic diapsid skull of a modern lizard (monitor lizard, Varanus sp.) showing the jo
snout and upper jaw to move on the rest of the skull. The quadrate can move at i
ventrally at both the lower jaw and the pterygoid. The front part of the braincase is

REPTILES: Squamata
cializations in particular
hic09617_ch28.qxd PM Page 569allowing the snout to be raised. Note that the lower temporal opening is very large
characterize
6/7/00 1:14
snakes: extreme elongation of the body border; this modification of the diapsid condition, common in modern lizards, prov
expansion of large jaw muscles. The upper temporal opening lies dorsal and med
and accompanying displacement and
squamosal arch and is not visible in this drawing.
rearrangement of internal organs; and
CHAPTER
specializations 28 large
for eating Reptilian
prey.Groups
The 569
amphisbaenians (worm lizards), which CHAPTER 2
first appear in the fossil record of the
hic09617_ch28.qxd 6/7/00
early 1:14 PM Page
Cenozoic era,569
have structural spe-
cializations associated with a burrowing
habit.

Viviparity in reptiles is limited to squa-

• Ojos móviles mates, and has evolved at least 100 separate
times. Evolution of viviparity is usually asso-
CHAPTER 28 Reptilian Groups

ciated with cold climates and occurs by

increasing the length of time the eggs are

• Adaptados para el día kept within the oviduct. Developing young

respire through extraembryonic mem-
branes and obtain nutrition from yolk sacs
Figure 28-12
Tokay, Gekko gecko, of Southeast Asia has a true voice and is named after the str
to-kay, to-kay call.
(lecithotrophy) or via the mother (pla-
8-13 centotrophy), or some combination of

Oído externo
e marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus in other reptiles is fused to the skull, netic than that of lizar
•
the Galápagos Islands, feeding
Figure 28-14
each. Figure 28-13
A large male marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus
has a joint at its dorsal end, as well as tional skull mobility
on algae. This is the only marine its usual articulation with the lower major factor in the d
world. It has special salt-removing A chameleon snares a dragonfly. After cautiously edging close toofitsthe
cristatus, Galápagos
target, Islands, feeding
the chameleon suddenly
lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet toThe diapsid
the branch. skulls
underwater
A split onof
second squamates
algae.
later, This is the only
it launches its jaw.
sticky-
Figure 28-14
marineIn addition, there are joints in lizards and snakes.
e eye orbits and long claws that A chameleon snares a dragonfly. After cautiously edging close to
are The
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. modified lizard
eyes of from
this in
the
common theancestral
world.
European It has special salt-removing
diapsid
chameleon the palate and across the roof of the
(Chamaeleo
Vocalización, Geckos
cling to the bottom while feeding on
•
nd green algae, its principal diet. It
depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet)
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to condition
provide binocular glands
by lossvisionofandindermal
the eye orbits
excellent and
depth
bone long claws
perception.
ven-
enable it to cling to the bottom while feeding on
that that allow
skull
lunges forward, anchoring its tail and feet to the branch. A split s
the snout to be tilted Suborder Sauria: Liza
tipped, foot-long tongue to trap the prey. The eyes of this comm
tral and posterior to the lower tem-
small red and green algae, its principal diet. It
upward (Figure 28-11). The
chamaeleon) are swiveled forward to an
specialized extremely
provide binoculardiverse
vision and
submerged more than 30 minutes. poral opening. This modification has mobility of the skull enables squa- terrestrial, burrowing,
Figure 28-13 may dive to depths exceeding 10 m (33 feet)
external ear that snakesA lack. The
large male innerevolution
allowed
marine iguana,and in most
remain
Amblyrhynchus lizards
submerged moreand than 30matesminutes.to seize and manipulate their and aerial members. A
• Piel sin glándulas
s that enable them to walk
ear of lizards is variable
but as with other reptiles, hearing
lizard
in structure,
cristatus,
underwater
in
of the Galápagos
snakes
on
able does
the
of a mobile
algae. This is
Islands,skull
the only
feeding
marine
having mov-
joints. Such a skull is calledA chameleon
world. It has special salt-removing
Figure
a
prey, it also external
28-14
closing force ear
increases
of the
snares a dragonfly.
earthe
jaw
ofAfter
lizards
that effective
snakes lack. The
musculature.
is variable
cautiously edging closein to
familiar
are
inner groups in this
geckos (Figure 28-
structure,
its target, the chameleon
own and on vertical surfaces; not play an important role in kinetic the livesskull. toe Theclaws quadrate, which The skull of but
snakes
its tailasandisfeet
with even
to themore
other ki-A split
reptiles, mostly
hearing doesnocturnal form
glands in the eye orbits and longpads that
that enable lungesthem to walk
forward, anchoring branch. second later, it launches its
, including most of the famil- of most lizards. Geckos are exceptions
enable it to cling to the bottom upside whiledown feedingand on on tipped,vertical foot-long tongue tonot
surfaces; trapplay
the prey.
an The eyes of this
important rolecommon
in theEuropean
lives chameleon (C

Reduce la pérdida de agua

World lizards, often brightly because males are strongly vocal (to chamaeleon) are swiveled of most lizards. Geckos are exceptions depth perceptio
forward to provide binocular vision and excellent
•
with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory andmay
small red and green algae,iguanids,
discourage
dive to depthstheexceeding
its principal diet.
iar 10 New m (33
It
including most of the famil-
feet) lizards, often brightly
World because males are strongly vocal (to
oat fans, and a group approach of other males, and remain and submerged
they more than 30 minutes.
colored with ornamental crests, frills, announce territory and discourage the
udes the remarkable marine must, of course, hear their own vocal- and throat fans, and a group external ear that snakes lack. Theofinner
approach other males, and they
f the Galápagos Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal- that includes ear
the remarkable marine of lizards is variable in structure,
must, of course, hear their own vocal-
); skinks, with elongate bod- ize in defensive behavior. toe pads that enable Figure them 28-15
to walk but as with other reptiles, hearing does
Aiguana
glass lizard,of Ophisaurus
the Galápagos sp., of the Islands (Fig- izations. Other species of lizards vocal-
educed limbs in many species; Many lizards liveupside in thedown world’s and onsoutheastern
vertical
ure 28-13);United surfaces;
skinks, not
with play an important role in the lives
ize in defensive behavior. Figure 2
States. This elongate
legless lizardbod-
of A glass liza
meleons, a group of arboreal hot and arid regions. iguanids,
Since theirincluding
skin most
feels
ies and stiffofandthebrittle
reduced famil-
tolimbs
the touch in most
and
many haslizards.
an
species; Geckos are Many exceptions
lizards live in the world’s
southeaste
 REPTILES: Squamata

• Carecen de extremidades

• Ondulaciones, rectilíneas,
laterales o concertinas

• Esqueleto y aparato bucal

• Presas de gran tamaño

• Huesos de la mandíbula
unidos por piel y músculo
 REPTILES: Squamata

• Carecen de párpados

• Rearreglo y distribución de
los órganos

• Cráneo y mandíbula con

uniones cartilaginosas
flexibles

• Constricción y desarrollo de
un aparato venenoso
 REPTILES: Squamata
• Modificación del hueso
dentario y aparición de
colmillos acanalados
asociados a glándulas
venenosas

• Aglifa

• Opistoglifa

• Proteroglifas

• Solenoglifa
 REPTILES: Squamata
• Veneno, evolución de enzimas
del tejido pancreático y salival

• Composición proteómica, de
codificación genética

• Veneno, coctel proteico de

actividad farmacológica

• Inmovilización y
predigestión

• Micronecrosis y parálisis
 REPTILES: Squamata
• Veneno, evolución de enzimas
del tejido pancreático y salival

• Composición proteómica, de
codificación genética

• Veneno, coctel proteico de

actividad farmacológica

• Inmovilización y
predigestión

• Micronecrosis y parálisis
 REPTILES: Squamata
• Completamente sordas

• Sensibles a las vibraciones en

el suelo

• Sensibles a estímulos
químicos

• Patrones de coloración
miméticos

• Mimetismo batesiano y
aposemático
gue is then drawn
ns and information
to the brain where

REPTILES: Squamata
(Figure 28-20).
the snake’s body is
h a tough, impervi- Figure 28-19
rd scales are set Parrot snake, Leptophis ahaetulla. The slender body of this Central American tree sna
adaptation for sliding along branches without weighing them down.
s overlapping like
with the skin folded
scales. The skin de
• Organo is Jacobson
when required to
after the snake has
• Fosas, en el paladar
al, it does so in a
kin folds are pulled
• Lengua
he scales bifida capturan los
separated
kin. olores
olved several solu-
problem of move-
• A través del órgano de
The most typical
Jacobson
nt is lateral undu-
1A). Movement fol- Figure 28-20
• Althe
ath, with cerebro
snake A blacktail rattlesnake, Crotalus molossus, flicks its tongue to smell its surroundings.
y exerting lateral trapped on the tongue’s surface are transferred to Jacobson’s organs, olfactory organ
e irregularities. The the mouth. Note the heat-sensitive pit organ between the nostril and eye.
w,” since the mov-
 REPTILES: Crocodylia
• Pocos cambios morfológicos

• Amplia distribución

• Agua salada

• Cuerpo alargado y robusto

• Gran mandíbula, agarrar,

cercenar y apretar

• Dos paladares
 REPTILES: Crocodylia
Cocodrilos, caimanes, cachirres y babillas

Caimán aguja
Crocodylus acutus
CUVIER, 1807 Lámina 59, 60, 62

• Representado por la
familia Crocodilidae

• Crocodylinae Diagnosis:
Un cocodrilo de hocico no alargado, angosto y puntiagudo en individuos
jóvenes, pero ancho en los machos viejos; con una elevación o joroba pre-
ocular bastante pronunciada en la línea sagital del hocico de los individuos

• Alligatorinae cada ojo; es uno de los cocodrilos de mayor talla en el Neotrópico, si bien
el tamaño cuando maduro puede oscilar entre 2,3-7,3 m en los machos y

espacio interdental mandibular 4 y 5. Posee membranas entre los dedos

• Gavialinae prolongan hacia la cola entre las crestas laterales sin fusionarse en la línea
media para formar una cresta sagital; la coraza o armadura (osteodermos)
del dorso es muy irregular, asimétrica y reducida cuando se la compara con
la de C. intermedius. Las escamas del cuerpo se disponen de manera irregular;
las escamas del vientre poseen “fosetas”. Formula dentaria: 5+13-14/15;
el cuarto diente mandibular encaja dentro de una escotadura lateral a nivel
 REPTILES: Crocodylia
hic09617_ch28.qxd 6/7/00 1:19 PM Page 578

578 PART 3 The Diversity of Animal Life

Figure 2
• Agresivos Crocodilia
niloticus) b
jaw fits ou
lack this fe
mississipie

• Vocalización resident o
southeaste

• Ovíparos, 20 a 80 huevos

• Construyen nidos, cuidado

A
parental

• Crías, subceptiles

• Estivación

B
 REPTILES: Crocodylia
• Dos pares de glándulas en la piel Orden Crocodylia

se inviertenGl. Gulares, parte ventral y lateral

• pocos recursos ener-
acidad para de las mandíbulas
perseguir a sus presas,
rápidamente.
n complejas interacciones sociales,
• Gl. Paracloacales, paredes
n en grupo, cuando pequeños son
erarquías de laterales de laelcloaca
dominancia durante
s. La mayor parte de las especies se
as del cuerpo,
• movimientos, olores
Cortejo, apareamiento y
os en que sonterritorialidad
más vulnerables a las
sarrollo embrionario y los primeros
Eversión del pene como método de sexaje en cocodrilianos (izquierda) e
mentar tasas
• de mortalidadvisibles
Dientes de hasta
identificación de papilas en la hembra (derecha)
o después de la cuarta semana de incubación. El manipularlos durante las
adultos tan solo son atacados por primeras horas posteriores al desove ofrece mayores ventajas por cuanto
mbre. • Abertura cloacal, longitudinal el embrión aún no se ha adherido a la membrana de la cáscara y permite la
rotación de los huevos; de igual forma es posible examinar a contraluz los
huevos y determinar la fertilidad de los mismos mediante la observación
mbriones se realiza de acuerdo con de la banda opaca. Los huevos deben ser manipulados suavemente (ver
los huevos, durante los primeros página 366).