Amphiumidae
amphibian family
Also known as: amphiumid
Learn about this topic in these articles:
annotated classification
- In Caudata: Annotated classification
Family Amphiumidae (congo eels)Large, to more than 100 cm; very elongated; aquatic to semiaquatic; predaceous, with powerful jaws and teeth; limbs diminutive, 1 to 3 fingers and toes; external gills absent, but spiracle open; Late Cretaceous to present; eastern North America; 1 genus, Amphiuma, and…
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evolution
- In Caudata: Main patterns
amphiumids are all unusual, considering that they are tetrapods, in that they are fully to mainly aquatic and have retained larval traits (paedomorphosis) to a great degree. The other families have adults that are generalized terrestrial tetrapods, but several of these families have few species…
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