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What other groups of vertebrates are there?
Living things
Fish, birds and amphibians are three important vertebrate
groups.
1
What vertebrate groups do these pictures show?
a)
b)
c)
G
E T T I N G S T A R T E D
What are the characteristics of fish?
Fish bodies
Fish have a long body that is
covered with scales.
Bird bodies
Birds have aerodynamic bodies.
Their bones are thin and light,
with lots of air spaces inside.
Both of these characteristics
make it easier for them to fly.
Respiration
Fish breathe with their
gills
.
The gills absorb the oxygen
from the water and pass it
into the blood.
Extremities
Birds have four extremities:
two legs and two wings.
Reproduction
Birds are oviparous. Like
reptiles, amphibians and
fish, birds lay eggs.
Reproduction
Almost all fish are oviparous.
The females produce eggs
and lay them in the water.
Respiration
Birds have lungs
to breathe air.
Extremities
Fish have fins and tails. They use
them to swim through the water
and to change direction.
What are the characteristics of birds?
