Biologija i ekologija krokodila (red Crocodylia)

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): Biology and ecology of crocodiles (order Crocodylia)
• Author: Paula Dvorski
• Mentor: Milorad Mrakovčić (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2009, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Krokodili su se pojavili prije oko 240 milijuna godina. U početku su bili male kopnene životinje. Poboljšanje klime omogućilo im je da se razviju u puno veće oblike poput Deinosuchusa koji je dosezao veličinu do 13m. Međutim, klima se mijenjala isto kao i položaj kontinenata što je navelo krokodile da se prilagode novonastalim uvjetima. Recentni krokodili su životinje veličine do 7m i najveći su živući gmazovi. Unutar razreda Reptilia odlikuju se nekim specifičnim anatomskim osobinama koje su se razvile kao prilagodbe predatorstvu i semiakvatičkom načinu života. Snažna čeljust, sekundarno nepce, četverodijelno srce, dijafragma, mehanizam zakiseljavanja probavnih sokova, neke su od njih. Važnu ulogu tu također imaju i specifični oblici ponašanja koji najviše do izražaja dolaze prilikom termoregulacije, razmnožavanja i vrebanja plijena. Od nekada puno brojnijeg reda, danas žive još samo 23 vrste koje su raspoređene u tri porodice: Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae i Gavialidae, čiji se areal rasprostranjenja proteže tropskim i suptropskim područjima. Djelovanje čovjeka sve više ugrožava ovu zanimljivu skupinu životinja koja čini posljednje ostatke mezozojske faune. Bilo bi šteta ne djelovati i tako dopustiti da nestanu jedini živući suvremenici dinosaura.

Abstract (english)

Crocodiles had turned up on our planet 240 million years ago. At first they were small land animals, yet the enhancement of world climate enabled them to grow into much bigger forms like Deinosuchusa, whose lenght reached up to 13 meters. However, climate gradually changed and so did the position of continents, which made crocodiles adapt to new life conditions. Crocodiles today measure up to 7 meters and are the largest living reptiles on Earth. Within Reptilia class are a few specific anatomical characteristics that are adaptations to the predatorian and semi-acquatic way of life. A strong jaw, secondary palate, four – chambered heart, diaphragm and a gastric acid – making mechanism are just a few of them. Specific kinds of behaviours, that are best seen at the processes of thermoregulation, breeding and stalking of prey, also play a very important role. Formerly a more numerous order, today is counting only 23 species that are divided into three families: Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae and Gavialidae, which live in the tropical and subtropical lands. Man's actions more and more endanger this interesting specie that makes the last remains of the mezozoic fauna. It would be a shame not to act and let only remaining dinosaurs' contemporaries decay.

• Keywords: krokodili
• Keywords (english): crocodiles
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:576668
• Study programme: Title: Ecology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2018-03-07 12:21:26