What is the difference b/w reptiles and amphibians? what is clam, what group is a clam in?

Answer 1

(m)

There are several anatomical (pertaining to body structure) and reproductive differences between reptiles and amphibians. Reptiles include alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. Amphibians include salamanders, toads, and frogs.

One difference between the two is the structure of their outer skin. Reptiles are covered with scales, shields, or plates, and their toes have claws. Amphibians, on the other hand, have moist, glandular skins, and their toes lack claws.

The eggs of reptiles have a thick, hard shell that protects the developing embryo from moisture loss, even on dry land. In contrast, the eggs of amphibians lack a hard outer covering and, thus, must be laid in water or in damp places.

Amphibians and reptiles share many characteristics. They both are ectotherms that rely on external heat sources to regulate internal body temperature. The first tetrapods were aquatic amphibians. They probably first used their legs to push along the bottom in ponds and streams. Some of these amphibians crawled out of their aquatic habitats and took up residence on land. Living amphibians and the reptiles evolved separately from 2 different extinct amphibian ancestors. The amphibians are divided into 3 subclasses: the extinct Lepospondyli; the extinct Labyrinthodontia, which are ancestral to the reptiles, mammals and birds; and the Lissamphibia or modern amphibians.

Possibly the most important difference between the amphibians and reptiles is water. Amphibians are tied to water for respiration and reproduction. Even salamanders and toads that have lungs gain as much as 35% of their oxygen by absorbing it through their skin (Withers, 1992). Reptiles were able to leave water completely only after evolving a relatively water-proof skin and an amniotic egg. A hard shell and membranes around the developing embryo limit water loss. Because of this reptiles are in some ways closely allied with birds and mammals.

The most characteristic shared trait between modern day amphibians and reptiles is ectothermy. Ectothermic animals are "cold-blooded" and must rely on an outside source of heat to regulate body temperature and activity levels. In order to remain physiologically active for long periods of time, animals must maintain a high core body temperatures. Ectotherms usually keep warm by muscle activity or by sunning.

The reason these 2 groups are studied together is mainly historical. As recently as 100 years ago amphibians were classified as a sub-group of reptiles and studied together as the field of herpetology. This historical classification has been preserved and herpetologists still study both amphibians and reptiles, but many specialize on one or the other. In fact herpetologists often refer to amphibians and reptiles singly as "herps" or sometimes even "herptiles".

Answer 2

G'day Megan K,

Thank you for your question.

The main difference is that amphibians have different types of egg than a reptile or birds with reptiles having hard eggs and amphibians having soft eggs. Amphibians have moist skin without scales while reptiles have dry, scaly skin. Amphibians fertilise the egg externally while reptiles do it internally.

A clam is a mollusc (Phylum Mollusca Class Bivalva) and is not part of either the amphibians or reptiles.

Amphibians are generally not as well adapted to land as reptiles and rely on water to breed. Amphibians and reptiles are both ectotherms or coldblooded.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 3

amphibians are somewhat "chained" to the water, due to the fact the don't have a totally waterproof skin, and they live their youth in water. reptiles have a water proof skin(like ours) and their young are born fully mature(only needing to grow) so they are ready for land already. clams are bi-valve mollusks. they are a kind of fish

Answer 4

Clams are shelled marine or freshwater mollusks belonging to the class Bivalvia (Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Mollusca)

Answer 5

Clams are neither reptiles nor amphibians - those both have backbones.

Answer 6

clams are mollusks... which are like snails, it's in the same category as a snail, just like you, as a human, are in the same category as a dog.

I know the answer the your other question, but it's too long for me to explain and I'm tired so I'm sticking to short answers, someone else can answer it for you.