Andrias

The genus Andrias refers to a group of large, fossil salamanders from the Miocene epoch, closely resembling the modern genus Cryptobranchus. The name Andrias originates from Greek, meaning "image of a man," due to an early belief that the first discovered specimen was a human fossil.1

Andrias is part of the family Cryptobranchidae, which includes giant salamanders. These are aquatic amphibians, with species like the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias sligoi) reaching up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length, and the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) growing up to 1.7 meters (5.6 feet). These salamanders are characterized by their large size, aquatic lifestyle, and the absence of lacrimal or septomaxillary bones in their skulls.23