Amphibian, anuran, caecilian, caudate, gymnophiona, salamander, salienta, urodela (in CC amphib glossary)

Definitions for these terms here.

Amphibian: An animal or species that is a member of a group of vertebrate animals called Class Amphibia. The three groups within Amphibia are: [Anura] (frogs), [Caudata] (salamanders), and [Caecilia] (rubber eels).

Urodela/urodele: see [caudate].

Caudata/caudate: Another name for Urodela/urodele. Caudata or Urodela is the scientific name for the [salamanders].

Salamander: the general term for all caudates, a group of animals that includes the newts, sirens, amphiumas, mudpuppies, waterdogs, olms, hellbenders, etc.

Anura/anuran: The frogs and toads.

Caecilia/caecilian: A poorly-known group of amphibians, common name "rubber eels".

We might as well put the synonyms for caecillians (gymnophiona and apoda) and anurans (salienta) while we are at it.

I think we should mention that caudate means tailed.

As for amphibian, I hate recursive definitions so I was trying to expand that definition.

Amphibian: All living tetrapods (four-legged vertebrate animals) that possess a larval stage, lack protective membranes around the egg, are [ectotherms] and generally spend part of their time on land.

(the characteristics of larval stage and absense of egg membranes are related to amphibians lacking amniotic eggs)

Good comments, Abrahm. Here's a compilation of everything we have up to this point:


Amphibian: All living tetrapods (four-legged vertebrate animals) that possess a larval stage, lack protective membranes around the egg, are [ectotherms] and generally spend part of their time on land. The three groups within Amphibia are: [Anura] (frogs), [Caudata] (salamanders), and [Caecilia] (rubber eels).

Urodela/urodele: [caudate].

Caudata/caudate: Caudata or Urodela is the scientific name for the [salamanders]. The word caudate means "tail", as these [amphibians] possess a tail throughout their life.

Salamander: the general term for all caudates, a group of animals that includes the newts, sirens, amphiumas, mudpuppies, waterdogs, olms, hellbenders, etc.

Anura/anuran: The frogs and toads. The word "anuran" means "without tail", as these [amphibians] lack a tail in adulthood.

Caecilia/caecilian: A poorly-known group of amphibians, also known as "rubber eels".

Apoda: [caecilian].

Gymnophiona: [caecilian].

Salienta: another term for [anuran].

Caecilia/caecilian: A poorly-known group of amphibians, also known as "rubber eels".

Click to expand...

The vernacular 'rubber eel' refers to one species in particular, Typhlonectes natans, as it is the most commonly seen caecilian in the trade. I've seen 'Sicilian eel' and 'Sicilian worm' (obvious bastardizations of 'caecilian') on some fish lists.

Jason

Moved to completed section