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Temnospondyli (from Greek τέμνειν, temnein 'to cut' and σπόνδυλος, spondylos 'vertebra') or temnospondyls is a diverse ancient order of small to giant tetrapods—often considered primitive amphibians—that flourished worldwide during the Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic periods, with fossils being found on every continent.
Adult frogs do not have tails and caecilians have only very short ones. [68] Didactic model of an amphibian heart. Salamanders use their tails in defence and some are prepared to jettison them to save their lives in a process known as autotomy. Certain species in the Plethodontidae have a weak zone at the base of the tail and use this strategy ...
An adult salamander generally resembles a small lizard, having a basal tetrapod body form with a cylindrical trunk, four limbs, and a long tail. Except in the family Salamandridae, the head, body, and tail have a number of vertical depressions in the surface which run from the mid-dorsal region to the ventral area and are known as costal ...
The temnospondyl Eryops had sturdy limbs to support its body on land Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) with limbs and feet specialised for climbing Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus), a primitive salamander The bright colours of the common reed frog (Hyperolius viridiflavus) are typical of a toxic species Wallace's flying frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) can parachute to ...
Swallowing was done by tipping the head back, as seen in many modern amphibians and in crocodiles. Evolution of a deeper skull, better jaw control and a reduction of the palatine tusks is only seen in the more advanced reptile-like forms, possibly in connection with the evolution of more effective breathing, allowing for a more refined hunting ...
Glass lizards have small scales on their undersides. The tails of glass lizards are relatively larger than snakes’ tails. In glass lizards, the tail can be up to three quarters of their body length.
Caecilians have small or absent eyes, with only a single known class of photoreceptors, and their vision is limited to dark-light perception. [17] [18] Unlike other modern amphibians (frogs and salamanders) the skull is compact and solid, with few large openings between plate-like cranial bones. The snout is pointed and bullet-shaped, used to ...
Dwarf frogs have four webbed feet. African clawed frogs have webbed hind feet while their front feet have autonomous digits. African dwarf frogs have eyes positioned on the side of their head, while African clawed frogs have eyes on the top of their heads. African clawed frogs have curved, flat snouts. The snout of an African dwarf frog is pointed.