BioDiT Citrus: Exhibit 10: Vertebrate Diversity

Insects in the BioDiT Citrus Collection

Fishes (Classes Actinopterygii and Chondrichthyes)
These are the ray-finned bony fishes (Actinopterygii) and cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes).  Definitely found in the waters in and around Citrus County, they are not typically seen on campus, so the handful of fishy-photos in the collection come mainly from campus and community fisher-people.  As of November 2025, there are only 10 fishes in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection, but there's lots of room to grow, as there are close to 30,000 species of just Actinopterygiians worldwide!

Amphibians (Class Amphibia)
These smooth-skinned vertebrates get their name from the fact that all species must utilize water for reproduction and a great many of them spend part of their life in water and part of it on land.  This is also a shy group...frogs and salamanders are not exactly "hopping" for attention, are they?  As of November 2025, there are 10 species of amphibians included in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection, all of which are frogs. 

Reptiles (Class Reptilia)
I could totally make a whole thing out of the fact that from a modern biological perspective, birds *are* reptiles.  I could.  But I won't.  Not any more than I've alread said.  We'll focus here on classic reptiles.  Aniamls that lay eggs on land, have skin covered with dry scales, and which are all ectothermic poikilotherms...which is biology speak for "cold blooded."  (Ectotermic means they get most of their body heat from an outside source; poikilothermic means they cannot regulate their body temperature separate from their environment.)  Anyway, these are the lizards, snakes, turtles, and gators.  As of November 2025, there are 28 reptile species included in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection, almost evenly split amongst lizards, snakes, and turtles. 

Birds (Class Aves)
This is the largest group of vertebrates represented in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection.  WIth their feathers, wings, and warm-bloodedness (they are endothermic homeotherms!!), they are a pretty distinct group.  (Although they do have dry scales on their legs and the lay eggs on land...as a type of reptile would!)  As of November 2025, there are 65 bird species included in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection, representing 14 orders and 30 families.

Mammals (Class Mammalia)
These hairy, milk-making, warm-blooded rascals are our group.  Not counting humans (but counting the late Lu the Hippo), as of November 2025 there are 23 mammal species included in the BioDiT Citrus photo collection.