Reptiles display many adaptations supporting a terrestrial lifestyle; the most significant in reducing their dependency on an aquatic habitat is ________.

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The amniotic egg, which is an adaptation unique to reptiles and their descendants, allows them to develop and hatch on land, reducing their reliance on an aquatic environment. This adaptation includes a protective outer shell, an amnion (a fluid-filled sac that protects the embryo), a yolk sac (which provides nutrients for the developing embryo), and several other specialized membranes. Keratinized scales and ectothermy are also important adaptations for a terrestrial lifestyle, but the amniotic egg is the most significant in terms of reducing dependency on water. The three-chambered heart, while important for circulatory efficiency, is not directly related to reducing aquatic dependency.

Reptiles Display Many Adaptations Supporting a Terrestrial Lifestyle; the Most