amphibia

noun

Meaning

A class of cold-blooded vertebrate animals that typically begin life in the water breathing with gills and later develop lungs to live on land.

Examples

  • Frogs, toads, and salamanders are common examples of amphibia found in temperate forests.
  • The study of amphibia has revealed significant insights into how environmental pollutants affect delicate ecosystems.

Synonyms: amphibian, cold-blooded animal, vertebrate, tetrapod