Ecology of Amphibians Bones in amphibians limbs and limb girdles led them to be stronger and able to move more efficiently. The lungs and breathing tubes of amphibians also helped them with living on land. They also evolved to have a breastbone/bony shield to protect those lungs. These amphibians evolved from giant amphibians in the Carboniferous Period. 245 million years ago, many groups of amphibians became extinct because of extreme climate changes. Because of that, only 3 groups of small amphibians, frogs and toads, salamanders, and caecilians, live today.
Groups of Amphibians Salamanders, Frogs and Toads, and Caecilians are the three group of amphibians still alive. Salamanders belong to Urodela because of their long bodies and tails. They have four legs and are carnivores. Adults live in moist habitats and some keep their gills and live in water all their life. Frogs and toads belong to Anura because of their ability to jump. Unlike toads, frogs have long legs enabling them to jump far. Most frogs live in water and most toads live in moist woods. Caeillians belong to Apoda. They are legless, live in water or moist soil, and feed on small invertibrates. Many Caeilians have fishlike scales.