SUPERCLASS TETRAPODA
Class Amphibia Class Reptilia Class Aves (Birds) Class Mammalia
They live in aquatic & Presence of feathers and beak. Presence of mammary
Dry & cornified skin,
terrestrial habitats and Forelimbs are modified into glands (milk producing
epidermal scales or scutes.
need water for breeding. wings. glands).
Dry skin without glands except
Body has head & trunk. Snakes and lizards shed Skin with hair.
the oil gland at the base of tail.
Some have tail. their scales as skin cast. 2 pairs of limbs for walking,
Hind limbs have scales and are
Moist skin without scales. Limbs- 2 pairs (if present). running, climbing,
modified for walking, swimming
Most have 2 pairs of Crawling mode of burrowing, swimming or
or clasping tree branches.
limbs. locomotion. flying.
Hollow & pneumatic long bones.
Tympanum represents
Tympanum represents ear. Tympanum represents ear. External ear (Pinnae).
ear.
3-chambered heart (but a
3-chambered heart septum partially separates
4-chambered heart. 4-chambered heart.
(2 auricles + 1 ventricle). ventricle). Heart is 4-
chambered in crocodiles.
Poikilotherms Poikilotherms Homoiotherms Homoiotherms
Alimentary canal, Well-developed alimentary
urinary & reproductive Well-developed alimentary Digestive tract has additional canal.
tracts open into a Cloaca canal. chambers, the crop & gizzard. Dentition is Heterodont,
which opens to exterior. thecodont & diphyodont.
Respiration is by gills (in Double respiration.
Respiration by lungs. Respiration by lungs.
larva), lungs & skin Air sacs connected to lungs.
Sexes are separate.
Sexes are separate.
Internal fertilisation. Internal fertilisation. Internal fertilisation.
External fertilisation.
Oviparous. Oviparous. Viviparous (except Echidna
Oviparous.
Development is direct. Development is direct. and Platypus).
Development is indirect.
Development is direct.
Examples Examples Examples Examples
Bufo (Toad), Chelone (Turtle), Testudo Corvus (Crow), Ornithorhynchus (Platypus),
Rana (Frog), (Tortoise), Chameleon (Tree Columba (Pigeon), Macropus (Kangaroo),
Hyla (Tree frog), lizard), Calotes (Garden Psittacula (Parrot), Pteropus (flying fox),
Salamandra (Salamander), lizard), Crocodilus Struthio (Ostrich), Camelus (Camel),
Ichthyophis (Limbless (Crocodile), Alligator, Pavo (Peacock), Macaca (Monkey),
amphibia) Hemidactylus (Wall lizard). Aptenodytes (Penguin), Rattus (Rat), Canis (dog),
Poisonous snakes: Neophron (Vulture) etc. Felis (Cat), Elephas
Naja (Cobra), Bangarus (Elephant), Equus (Horse),
(Krait), Vipera (Viper) etc. Delphinus (Common dolphin),
Non-poisonous snakes: Balaenoptera (blue whale),
Python etc. Panthera tigris (Tiger),
Panthera leo (lion)
• Poikilotherms (Cold-blooded animals): Animals that lack the capacity to regulate their body temperature.
• Homoiotherms (warm-blooded animals): Animals having ability to maintain a constant body temperature.
