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

1. Apoda lack limbs and have a body structure adapted for burrowing.
2. They possess small eyes which are often covered by skin or bone, rendering them nearly blind.
3. Caecilians have a unique sensory tentacle between their eyes and nostrils used for detecting chemical cues in their environment.
4. Their reproduction can be either oviparous (egg-laying) or viviparous (live-bearing), with some species exhibiting parental care.
5. Apoda are primarily found in moist, tropical environments across South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Review Questions

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.