Caudata is the scientific order that includes salamanders and newts, remarkable amphibians known for their elongated bodies, tails, and dual life in water and on land. They undergo dramatic changes during their lives and are most diverse in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Caudata have elongated bodies, tails, and undergo metamorphosis.
Salamanders and newts belong to the order Caudata.
What are Caudata?
Caudata are an order of amphibians including salamanders and newts, known for their tails and elongated bodies.
Caudata, also known as Urodela, are amphibians with long, slender bodies and tails, unlike frogs or toads. Both young and adult forms often retain tails, which is unique among amphibians.
- Are Caudata amphibians, reptiles, or fish?
Amphibians.
- Do both larval and adult forms have tails?
Yes, which distinguishes them from other amphibians.
Caudata are mainly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Oceania, Europe, and North America
- Not common in tropical Africa or South America
'Caudata' comes from the Latin for 'tail,' highlighting their distinctive feature.
- Cauda = tail in Latin
Examples of Salamanders
Axolotl, Tiger Salamander, and Spotted Salamander are examples of salamanders.
Salamanders boast moist skin, often used for respiration, and some can regenerate lost limbs. They prefer cool, damp habitats and some species exhibit paedomorphosis, where adults retain juvenile traits.
- Typical habitats: forests, streams, ponds
- Regeneration: limbs, tails, even parts of the heart and brain
Salamanders prefer forests, freshwater, and moist environments.
- Do all salamanders undergo full metamorphosis?
No, some retain juvenile traits into adulthood (paedomorphosis).
Most true salamanders belong to the family Salamandridae.
- Some sources place lungless salamanders in Plethodontidae within Caudata
Examples of Newts
Newts are members of the family Salamandridae.
Newts are a subgroup of salamanders, mostly in the family Salamandridae. They spend part of their life as aquatic larvae, then become terrestrial (eft stage), and some return to water as adults.
- Newts have a three-stage life cycle: aquatic larvae, terrestrial juveniles (eft), aquatic adults
- Their skin is often rougher than that of salamanders
Notophthalmus and Triturus are well-known newt genera.
- Newts are known for their toxic skin secretions
- Do newts and salamanders share the same order?
Yes, both are in Caudata.
Conclusion
Caudata are a diverse and fascinating group of amphibians, with unique adaptations that set them apart from other vertebrates. Their study offers valuable insights into evolution, development, and ecology.
- Salamanders and newts (Caudata) have tails and elongated bodies, unlike other amphibians.
- They demonstrate remarkable regenerative abilities and complex life cycles.
- Caudata are primarily found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.