Amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibian (/æmˈfɪbiən/; from Ancient Greek ἀμφίς "both" and βίος "life") is a group of cold-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Amphibia.
Etymology
The term "amphibian" comes from the Ancient Greek term ἀμφίς (amphis), which means "both", and βίος (bios), which means "life". The name is derived from the amphibians' unique life cycle, which involves living both in water and on land.
Definition
Amphibians are ectothermic, tetrapod vertebrates of the class Amphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal or freshwater aquatic ecosystems.
Characteristics
Amphibians typically start out as larvae living in water, but some species have developed behavioural adaptations to bypass this. The young generally undergo metamorphosis from larva with gills to an adult air-breathing form with lungs. Amphibians use their skin as a secondary respiratory surface and some small terrestrial salamanders and frogs lack lungs and rely entirely on their skin.
Related Terms
- Ectothermic: Refers to the regulation of body temperature by external means.
- Tetrapod: A superclass of animals that includes species with four limbs.
- Metamorphosis: A biological process involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure.
- Larva: The distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults.
- Gills: Respiratory organ found in many aquatic organisms.
- Lungs: The primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and many other animals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Amphibian
- Wikipedia's article - Amphibian
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