Reptiles and Amphibians
"Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as primitive, dull and dimwitted. In fact, of course, they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, and surprisingly affectionate and very sophisticated."
- Sir David Attenborough
- Sir David Attenborough
Species of Reptiles in California
The placement of turtles has historically been highly variable. Classically, turtles were considered to be related to the primitive anapsid reptiles.[29] Molecular work has usually placed turtles within the diapsids. As of 2013, three turtle genomes have been sequenced.[30] The results place turtles as a sister clade to the archosaurs, the group that includes crocodiles, non-avian dinosaurs, and birds.[31] However, in their comparative analysis of the timing of organogenesis, Werneburg and Sánchez-Villagra (2009) found support for the hypothesis that turtles belong to a separate clade within Sauropsida, outside the saurian clade altogether.[32]
Lizards of California
Snakes of California
Turtles of California
Species of amphibians in California
Frogs and Toads
Newts and Salamanders