What are amniotes?
Q: What are amniotes?
A: Amniotes are a taxonomic group of animals that include all tetrapods except amphibians.
Q: Which vertebrates are considered amniotes?
A: All land vertebrates species, including reptiles (dinosaurs and birds), mammals (Pelycosaurs and Theriodonts).
Q: What is the difference between amphibian and amniote eggs?
A: Amphibian eggs require water to develop, while amniote eggs do not. The 'invention' of the cleidoic egg and its embryonic membranes is the main reason why amniote eggs do not need to be laid in water.
Q: What protects the embryos of amniotes?
A: The embryos of amniotes are protected by several membranes.
Q: Do all amniotes lay eggs?
A: No, some amniotes develop embryos in the female and give birth to live young.
Q: Are amniotes exclusively terrestrial?
A: Amniotes are mostly terrestrial, but some species, such as reptiles and mammals, may return to water.
Q: Is there more evolutionary flexibility in amphibians or amniotes?
A: There is much less evolutionary flexibility in amphibians compared to amniotes.
