Useful Scientific Terms

I have, for the most part, used familiar language to describe the animals in this book, but there are occasions when it makes more sense to use terms developed by the scientific community, especially when referring to body parts. In particular, terms and characteristics associated with birds, reptiles, amphibians, general insects, and butterflies are described below:

Birds

rump/uppertail coverts tail (retrices) primaries secondaries tertials greater coverts medial and lesser coverts scapulars nape crown supercilium eye stripe nape eyering malar upper mandible/culmen lower mandible chin throat breast belly vent sides flanks undertail coverts lores auriculars

Lizards

well-developed sight dry, scaly skin external ear openings often detachable tails

Snakes

well-developed sense of smell no eyelids dry, scaly skin heat-sensing pit Flexible jaws no external ear openings absent limbs

Turtles

retractable head scutes carapace strong jaws plastron retractable limbs

Frogs

dorso-lateral fold moist, scaleless skin large, protruding eyes tail absent long, powerful hind limbs webbed feet clawless toes eardrum

Toads

rough, warty skin parotoid gland cranial crest large, protruding eyes tail absent weak hind legs clawless toes eardrum

Salamanders

moist, smooth skin clawless toes long tail, often flattened long, rounded body weak limbs costal grooves

Butterflies

apex/apical area costal/leading edge palp head antennae thorax discal cell medial area post medial area submarginal stripe wing base anal area abdomen tail hindwing forewing wing margin

Beetles

antenna head thorax abdomen tarus tibia femur