Question

The main difference between Gymnophiona (apoda) and Urodela is that……………………
A. Have two auricles and one ventricle
B. Dermal scales
C. Have a cloaca
D. Respire by lungs in the adult stage.

Answer 1

Hint: Gymnophiona and Urodela are the orders of class amphibia. Amphibians are found on land as well as in water.

Complete answer: In members of Gymnophiona lungs are found as respiratory organs in adults but in members of Urodela paired gills are found.
1. Members of Gymnophiona have left small lungs and the right one is larger.
2. Members of Urodela have external gills and gill slits.
3. In members of Gymnophiona, gills are only found in the larval stage.
4. Members of Gymnophiona have no limbs, their body is cylindrical.
5. Members of Urodela have a body divided into head, trunk, and tail.
6. The body of the members of Urodela is scale-less but the body of members of apoda is scaly.
7. Members of Gymnophiona have anal pore but members of Urodela have a cloaca.

Additional information: Members Gymnophiona are worm-like and burrows. Mostly found in the subtropical areas. These are also called as blind-worm because they have eyes covered with a membrane.
Members of Urodela are scale-less bodies and these are mostly found in caves. This is a special character of Urodela that they show neoteny.
Their skin is wet and moist.

So the correct answer is D. Respire by lungs in the adult stage.

Note: The order Gymnophiona is also known as Apoda as they do not have a tail.
Its members are also known as caecilians (Examples: Icthyophis and Gymnophis).
The order Urodela is also known as Caudate as they have a tail. (Examples: Salamander, Ambystoma).