Marine Reptiles

Marine Reptiles General Characteristics Vertebrates originally adapted for land that have reinvaded the water Specialized eggs Poikilotherms and ectotherms

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Bodies enclosed by armor-like shell There are 7 – 8 species of sea turtles

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Diet varies with species Benthic invertebrates – Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead, flatback (also jellyfish) Sponges – Hawksbill Jellyfish – Leatherback Sea grasses – Green, black (also jellyfish) Diverse – Olive ridley (crustaceans, jellyfish, algae)

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Reproduction Return to land to lay eggs Females lay eggs at night (up to 160 eggs) Gender of hatchlings depends on incubation temperature

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Reproduction

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Distribution

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Distribution Black Flat Back Hawksbill Kemp’s Ridley

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles Distribution Leatherback Loggerhead

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles All species are threatened or endangered

Marine Reptiles Sea Turtles All species are threatened or endangered

Marine Reptiles Sea Snakes 55 species Laterally flattened with a paddle-like tail Immense Lungs Ovoviviparous Carnivores Venomous

Marine Reptiles Marine Iguanas One species – Galápagos Islands Spends most of its time basking in sun Feed on algae Eliminate salt through salt glands Good swimmers Territorial

Marine Reptiles Saltwater Crocodiles Inhabits mangroves and swamps Found in E. Indian, W. Pacific and Australia Largest crocodile species Diverse diet Aggressive

Marine Reptiles Saltwater Crocodiles

Marine Reptiles Saltwater Crocodiles Other Crocodiles inhabit fresh or brackish water In tropics of Africa, Asia, Americas and Australia Alligators – broader snouts, only upper teeth seen when jaws closed Only in US and China Crocodile American Alligator

Seabirds

Seabirds General Characteristics: Spend significant portion of life at sea Have webbed feet for swimming Endotherms and homeotherms Adaptations include Feathers Hollow bones Nest on land Salt glands to excrete salt

Seabirds Diversity: Body form and Lifestyle: Penguins Albatross Pelicans Cormorants Frigate birds Gulls Shorebirds penguin penguin

Seabirds Diversity: Body form and Lifestyle: Penguins Albatross Pelicans Cormorants Frigate birds Gulls Shorebirds

Seabirds Diversity: Diet Small zooplankton – Prions Fishes – Penguins Squids – Petrels Benthic invertebrates – Razorbill Other birds – Petrels Resource partitioning is common (minimizes competition)