A major evolutionary trend of the carboniferous period was the development of ________?
This allowed reptiles to live completely free of water.
2007-02-21 05:07:54 · 2 answers · asked by JoAnna 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Sounds like a homework question, but I'll be generous for a change.
If I remember my evolution lessons - it is actually believed that reptiles evolved independent of modern day amphibians, but perhaps had an amphibian ancestor. There are two key adaptations that allowed reptiles to adapt to life on land.
A) Eggs with a protective shell, which could be laid on land and protect the developing embryo inside from drying out.
B) A thicker epidermal skin which was provided better protection against dehydration (didn't need to be moist as a frog or salamander's skin).
2007-02-21 06:06:17 · answer #1 · answered by gshprd918 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lungs. The question is slightly misleading because it seems to be saying that reptiles didn't need water at all, including drinking it. But the development of lungs in amphibious creatures led to some of those creatures evolving into reptiles.
2007-02-21 05:27:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anthony Stark 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋