Apoda
Definition
Apoda is an order of limbless, burrowing amphibians commonly known as caecilians. They are characterized by elongated, worm-like bodies and are mostly found in tropical regions.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Apoda lack limbs and have a body structure adapted for burrowing.
- They possess small eyes which are often covered by skin or bone, rendering them nearly blind.
- Caecilians have a unique sensory tentacle between their eyes and nostrils used for detecting chemical cues in their environment.
- Their reproduction can be either oviparous (egg-laying) or viviparous (live-bearing), with some species exhibiting parental care.
- Apoda are primarily found in moist, tropical environments across South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Review Questions
- What key physical characteristic distinguishes Apoda from other amphibians?
- How do caecilians detect environmental cues despite their poor vision?
- In what types of habitats are Apoda most commonly found?
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Related terms
Amphibia: A class of cold-blooded vertebrates that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians.
Caecilian: A common name for the limbless amphibians belonging to the order Apoda.
Oviparous: A mode of reproduction in which animals lay eggs that hatch outside the mother's body.
