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lissamphibian

amphibian subclass
Also known as: Lissamphibia

Quick Summary

Lissamphibia is the subclass of amphibians that includes all living species of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. Amphibians are vertebrate animals that can live in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, a trait reflected in their name, which comes from the Greek for "living a double life".12

Modern amphibians are characterized by moist skin, reliance on skin for respiration, a double-channeled hearing system, and pedicellate teeth. They first appeared around 340 million years ago and were among the earliest animals to transition from strictly aquatic to terrestrial life. However, Lissamphibia are not the ancestors of reptiles; they represent a separate evolutionary branch.1

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