Iguana 36-II
SAUROPSIDA
Classification
 
 
Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura nubila lewisi)



Chapter Outline
  1. Description of Sauropsida
  2. Classification of Sauropsida
  3. Sphenodontia
  4. Squamata
  5. Serpentes
  6. Testudines
  7. Crocodylia
  8. Paleo Sauropsida

Tree
NCBI Tree | Paleo Tree



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In the previous chapter, it was mentioned that Tetrapoda, the four-legged animals, was split between amphibians and amniotes. Amphibians were explored in that chapter. Amniota is further split into two classifications: Sauropsida and Mammalia. Mammalia will be explored in chapter 38. Sauropsida contains animals formerly, and still informally, called reptiles as well as birds. Birds will have their own chapter following this one. This chapter focuses on the animals still often referred to as reptiles.

Sauropsida's first split is betwen the order Testudines, the turtles, and Sauria. Sauria is split into Lepidosauria and Archosauria. Lepidosauria contains two orders: Sphenodontia, the beaked retiles, and Squamata, which contains lizards, snakes and many of the most common organisms thought of as reptiles. Archosauria contains the family of alligators and crocodiles, the dinosaurs and the class of birds, called Aves.

  • Sauropsida
    • Lepidosauria
      • Sphenodontia - Beaked Reptiles (Tuatara)
      • Squamata
    • Testudines + Archosauria Group
      • Testudines - Turtles
      • Archosauria
        • Crocodylia - Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimen, Gharials
        • Dinosauria
          • Ornithischia
          • Saurischia
            • Tyrannosauridae
            • Aves - Birds (following chapter)

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