Question

Largest amphibian is/ an
(a)Necturus
(b)Ichthyophis
(c)Cryptobranchus
(d)Amphiuma

Answer 1

Hint: It belongs to the salamander’s family. It is known for unusual respiration involving cutaneous gas exchange through capillaries present in their dorsoventral skin fold.

Complete answer:
Cryptobranchus is a family of different types of salamanders out of which Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is a much larger amphibian among all the salamanders but C. alleganiensis or hellbender is the only extant member of the genus Cryptobranchus. A newly identified amphibian Andrias davidians or Chinese giant salamander is considered as the largest amphibian. Andrias davidians also belong to the Cryptobranchus family.

Additional Information:
 -Cryptobranchus have a flat body and head consisting of beady eyes and slimy skin.
-They have small legs with four toes present on the front leg and five toes on their back limbs.
- Cryptobranchus alleganiesis is different from other salamanders because of the gigantic, dorsoventrally flattened body with thick fold falling down the side and a single open gill slit on each side.
- Cryptobranchus alleganiesis undergoes metamorphosis after around a year and half of life

So, the correct answer is, ‘Cryptobranchus.’

Note: -Among all amphibians were the first to adapt to an extended period on land.
-Amphibians are of three types: anure – without a tail, urodeles- with tail and gymnophiona- without legs.
-Amphibians are ectotherms, elongated trunk with distinct head, neck, tail, four legs but some legless forms without distinct body regions like caecilians.
-Amphibians became better adapted to water by- bodies become more flattened, some developed webbed feet and some developed weaker legs and strong tail for more efficient swimming.