Question

A limbless amphibian is _________.
a. Hyla
b. Icthyophis
c. Alytes
d. Bufo

Answer 1

Hint: The amphibians are described as the first vertebrates to invade land. They are not well adapted to terrestrial life as there is no protective covering on their body or eggs to check loss of water from evaporation.

Complete answer:
The amphibians include salamanders, newts, frogs, toads, and caecilians.
> Option B: Icthyophis-
It is a limbless amphibian that belongs to Caecilians and lives in burrows in moist soil near ponds and feeds on underground worms and insects. It moves like earthworm and lays eggs in wet burrows that are likely to be filled with rain water. The mother guards the eggs and they hatch into tadpoles that metamorphose into adults.
It has about 15-22 cm long, worm-like slimy body with a wide mouth. Eyes are small and covered by opaque skin. There is a sensory tentacle in a groove between naris and eye. Tympana, limbs and tail are absent.

> Option D: Bufo-
These are commonly called Indian toads that resemble the frog except for some minor differences. They are not poisonous animals and they emit drops of distasteful, irritating fluid from their skin glands in self-defense when excited.

> Option A: Hyla-
It is commonly called a tree frog as it climbs up the tree with adhesive discs on the tips of digits. The skin on their body has hygroscopic glands.

> Option C: Alytes-
It is commonly called Midwife toad as the males carry the eggs deposited on the back of thighs.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Amphibians are not found in the marine water as they are most likely to lose water by exosmosis due to the lack of an impermeable exoskeleton. They have evolved from the lung-breathing, lobe-finned bony fishes.