CLASSIFICATION OF SIREN : MUD EEL
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- AMPHIBIA ( Scaleless glandular skin , have 3 chambered heart , cold blooded, 2 occipital condyles, can live in water and land both )
Order :- URODELA OR CAUDATA ( Scaleless Amphibia having well developed tail, generally with two limbs, with or without external gills and gill-slits in adults).
Sub-order :- SIRENIDEA ( Permanent larval form) .
Genus :- Siren
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
It is found in USA.
HABIT AND HABITAT
They is found in the burrows, muddy ditches and ponds. They are carnivorous and prey upon invertebrates and aquatic vertebrates with a possible preference for molluscs, although they have been observed to eat vegetation. They are nocturnal and spend the day in dense vegetation.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF SIREN : MUD EEL
- It is commonly called as mud eel.
- Body is slender, elongated. 75 cm in length, covered with small papillae and divided into head, trunk and tail.
- Head is conical with small eyes and nostrils. Eyes are without eyelids.
- Forelimbs are small containing 4 digits while hind limbs are absent.
- Tail is provided with small caudal fin.
- Jaws with horny covering.
- There are 3 pairs of external gills which are persistent. Gill-slits one pair.
- They can vocalize, producing clicks or yelps sounding similar to the call of the American green tree frog.
- They lack hindlimbs as well as a pelvic girdle, and have external gills all throughout their lives along with small lungs.
- They lack eyelids, and have an unfused pectoral girdle.
- Their spermatozoa possess a pair of flagella.
- Cloacal glands are absent. Fertilization is probably external.
- live at least 25 years or longer in captivity.
Special features
They are permanent larval form with only a few adult features. Larvae do not undergo complete metamorphosis.
Identification
Since this urodele has slender body, gills, only forelimbs and above features, hence it is Siren or mud eel.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirenidae
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/siren-amphibian-family
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- http://www.nhptv.org/wild/sirenidae.asp
- SOURCES OF IMAGES – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fherpsofnc.org%2Fgreater-siren%2F&psig=AOvVaw0fpz44qIf6voXPQyomlO7U&ust=1602676518204000&so urce=i mages&cd=vfe &ved=2ahUK Ewifrd 21wb HsAhWZD7cA HUJ9ABcQr4kDegU IARDiAQ
- https://www.google. com/url? sa=i&url=https%3A %2F%2Fwww.wikiw and.com%2Fen%2F Lesser_siren&psig=AOvVaw0fpz44qIf6v oXPQyomlO7U&ust =160267651820400 0&source=images&c d=vfe&ved=2ahUKE wifrd21wbHsAhWZ D7cAHUJ9ABcQr4kDegUIARDSAQ
- https: // www.google.com/url ? sa=i&url=https%3A %2F% 2Fanimaldiversity.or g%2Fsite%2Faccoun ts%2Finformation% 2FSiren_intermedia. html&psig=AOvVaw 0fpz44qIf6voXPQyo mlO7U&ust=160267 651820 4000&source =imag es&cd=vfe&ve d=2ah UKEwifrd21w bHsAhWZD7cAHUJ 9ABcQr4kDegUIAR DJAQ
