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Difficulty: MediumVertebrates: Poikilothermic Classes (Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia)

A field biologist collects a poikilothermic vertebrate specimen from an arid environment. Anatomical examination reveals dry epidermal scales, a heart with two atria and a partially divided ventricle, and an egg with a leathery shell. Which of the following correctly identifies the species using proper binomial nomenclature, along with its main nitrogenous waste product?

  1. *Agama agama*, primary waste uric acidAnswer
  2. B
    *Agama Agama*, primary waste urea
  3. C
    *Sclerophrys regularis*, primary waste ammonia
  4. D
    *Tilapia zillii*, primary waste uric acid

Answer

*Agama agama*, primary waste uric acid
Reptiles such as the rainbow lizard (*Agama agama*) possess dry epidermal scales, a heart with two atria and a partially divided ventricle, and lay shelled amniotic eggs. They excrete uric acid to minimize water loss. The binomial name is formatted correctly with a capitalized genus name and a lower-case species name.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze anatomical characteristics provided in the stem
Dry epidermal scales, a heart with two atria and a partially divided ventricle, and a leathery cleidoic egg are definitive diagnostic traits of the class Reptilia.
Reptiles are adapted for terrestrial life through epidermal scales to prevent desiccation, a partially septated ventricle to reduce mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, and amniotic eggs.
2
Determine the primary nitrogenous waste product
Reptiles excrete nitrogenous waste primarily as insoluble uric acid.
Uric acid requires minimal water for excretion, serving as a critical water-conserving adaptation for terrestrial life.
3
Apply binomial nomenclature formatting rules
The scientific name must have the genus name capitalized (*Agama*) and the species name in lower case (*agama*), italicized or underlined.
Standard International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) rules mandate lower case for specific epithets.

Key Concept

Distinctive anatomical and physiological adaptations of Reptilia compared to Pisces and Amphibia
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Topics

Vertebrates: Poikilothermic Classes (Pisces, Amphibia, Reptilia)

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